And Mourinho's most recent remarks about the referee in the midweek League Cup semifinal against United are being looked into by the Football Association.

Mourinho's initial comments on the performance of referee Neale Barry during Wednesday's 0-0, first leg draw at Stamford Bridge were not deemed worthy of further action.

But he expanded on his criticisms on Chelsea TV on Thursday night, prompting the FA to review the Portuguese's comments and also to examine those made by Chelsea captain John Terry.

A statement on the FA website, www.theFA.com, said: "Following recent comments attributed to John Terry and those made by Jose Mourinho on Chelsea TV after this week's League Cup semi-final first leg, the FA's position is that we are aware of these reported comments and they are under consideration."

Mourinho said it was "fault after fault, cheat after cheat" after half-time on Wednesday.

The former Porto boss insinuated United players were diving to win free-kicks and Barry, whom he had seen talking to Ferguson at the end of the first half, was favouring the visitors with his decisions.

Having considered Mourinho's comments, Ferguson has come to the conclusion that the main reason behind them was to try and exert his own influence on Graham Poll who takes charge of Saturday's encounter between Chelsea and Tottenham at White Hart Lane.

But the Scot was annoyed enough to recall Porto's diving antics during last season's Champions League clash with United when the Portugal side were still under Mourinho's control.

Ferguson then set his sights on Terry's claim that Barry refused to listen to him during then game.

"I think Mourinho has opened a can of worms for himself," said Ferguson. "We remember what happened in Porto. Look back a couple of weeks to the penalty decision that went their way against Liverpool and how Rafael Benitez handled that.

"But I don't think his comments have anything to do with what happened on Wednesday. It was more about trying to influence the referee for tomorrow's game against Tottenham.

"What I find more interesting are John Terry's comments when he says the referee wouldn't listen to him.

"I ask the question 'why would he listen to him?'. Is he saying he can influence other referees? I have never heard a captain come out with comments like that before."