Ferguson defends Fletcher

The midfielder was shown two yellow cards by referee Matt Messias, who had been jeered off at the interval for booking George Boateng but failing to penalise Roy Keane for a clean tackle from behind.

Ferguson felt the official was wrong to dismiss Fletcher, but did not believe Boro deserved anything from the match as again their shot-shy forward line failed to sparkle.

"I don't think it was fortunate," stated Ferguson, whose side won with a Quinton Fortune shot that deflected off Danny Mills.

"They didn't make a chance in the whole match. Tim Howard didn't have a save to make.

"They had lots of corners and long throw-ins, but I think we defended very well.

"The referee has made a rod for his own back. The first booking is ridiculous. There should have been four or five sent off on that principle. But we don't want that.

"There was nothing nasty in the game. Two tackles and the young boy's sent off.

"He's only starting his career. He's never been that type of player, but he's been sent off.

"Maybe it got the crowd going and they were at them. Their staff went after him in the tunnel. But decision-making is an important part of the referee's job to get that right.

"We stopped spreading the play and, in fairness to Boro, they upped the tempo and fought like tigers, so you've got to give them a lot of credit."

Ferguson again remained tight-lipped on the January transfer window, but stressed he will not neccesarily move for a defender to replace Rio Ferdinand.

"I'm assessing the situation," he told Sky Sports. "We may have a look and do something if the right person comes along. We might be tempted.

"The Rio ban doesn't come into the equation."