a "normal" ref would have sent off four chelsea players and awarded united five penalties, so grant is right... the result would have been different. probably about 8-0.

if I were him, I'd worry more about the fact that chelsea didn't force van der sar into a single save. the ref's performance was better than that of any chelsea player.

jem, london, uk

I'm not completely sure what game Fergus Sira-Lexon was watching yesterday, but to suggest that Chelsea should have conceded 2 penalties, had 2 players sent off and more, that AFTER the referee has confirmed extra time with the fourth official (and it has been signalled) the referee should ignore his decision, is... quite frankly, pathetic!

J. Cole probably should have been sent off for his challenge on Ronaldo, but in terms of consistency Rooney was also a loose cannon, kneeing Makalele in the head while he was on the ground (when he could have easily avoided contact) and shoving A. Cole after the ball had gone when he was already on a yellow and had been spoken to by the referee!

The simple fact is that Dein's performance (or lack of) ruined what could have been a very good game between two very good sides.

Finally, for long periods of the game Utd didn't look like they had the man advantage, worrying for their league prospects - Chelsea's are over.

Ben Kamau, London, England

Mikel's foul was a sending-off offence. The red card looks harsh only because players usually get away with a yellow. As ever, the problem is consistency. Of course, Cole should have gone too. But the main thing to notice is that United were the better team. Chelsea didn't have a single realistic attempt on goal in the game.

Billy, London,

I am a neutral who just loves the game and Mr. Grant should look to his own teams conduct. What nothing has been said about is firstly Makele pretending that he had been stamped on by Rooney to try have him booked and then Ashley Cole diving when challenged by Rooney and immediately holding up his hand for the ref to book Rooney. (Which he did!)
TV replays showed that in both instances Rooney was not to blame so perhaps it's time the FA took these cheats to task as these people are spoiling the beautiful game.

George, Glasgow, UK

The refeereeing at Old trafford is a joke . Never a penalty and the sending off was doubtful to say the least. The refereeing at Old trafford is biased . The refs are afraid of upsetting a Knight of the realm.

John S, Paris,

It seems to me that Avram Grant may be judging the referee by his own standards, which I find quite revealing!

Good luck Chelsea fans, you are going to need it!

I suspect there will be a stampede out of Stamford Bridge when the transfer window opens again.....

Assuming Grant lasts that long.......

A Patrick, Bath,

I'm not a big fan of football, but decided to watch this game as it was arguably between the best two sides in English football.

I feel that the referee's decisions spoiled this game for all involved. It seemed that Mikel's sending off was harsh to say the least; his tackle was minor compared to Joe Cole's indeed. Had Mikel been yellow carded and Cole sent off, which is probably the way it should have been, the game would have been quite different as Chelsea would have had a full team of players for a lot longer. As for the penalties Saha's 'dive' could have been a yellow card for him, rather than a penalty; however, I think United had every reason to feel that they were denied a first half penalty.

The point is that there is no consistency by some referee's which is compounded by their failure to punish players for 'cheating' (Saha), verbal abuse (Terry) which sets a bad example for those who idolise the game and spoils it for those like me who want to enjoy a football match.

MW, Cape Town, South Africa

Abromovich and Grant got what they deserved. Joe Cole should've been gone, too, after that foul. Hope Jose enjoyed watching that one.

Come on Toon

Bryan Schaaf, Ashland, Ohio

The surprise in the crowd where I was, was that only two minutes added time were signalled for the first half. Ferndinand had lengthy treatment and it took a couple of minutes to sort out the sending off, so at least four minutes should have been signalled, which was what Mr Dean eventually added.

I find it hard to understand any complementary comments about Chelsea's performance. They came with no attacking game from the kick off and after the sending off and first goal the defeat was nevr in doubt. The second half was excruciating as MU simply passed the ball around to tire the Chelsea team and run down time. At no stage did Chelsea seem to want to change their game to get back in it.

The most astonishing thing was the crowd were so quiet. They came to see two top teams and saw a totally one sided, boring match. No hard luck stories for the new coach - sorry!

Lastly, I don't think I've seen a player want to get off the pitch as quickly as Shevchenko when subbed.

David, Guildford, UK

Mancs probably deserved to win but that was never a penalty. Funny thing about Manc Utd is how often West Ham have outplayed them like the last game last season....Manc Utd to win the league ....West Ham to win the cup

Chris, London, England

Chelsea should've had two players sent off and United should've had two penalties,so Chelsea should count themselves lucky rather than moan about the ref doing United a load of favours.

Maybe the referee wouldn't have added on so much time in the first half if Ashley Cole hadn't taken so long to take a free kick in stoppage time.

Fergus Sira-Lexon, England,