Sir Alex Ferguson has responded to Jose Mourinho's outburst over an penalty appeal that Middlesbrough were denied against Manchester United by arguing that John O'Shea touched the ball in his contentious challenge on Lee Dong-Gook.

After seeing that incident pass unpunished, and another by Gabriel Heinze on Luton Shelton in United's defeat of Sheffield United on Tuesday, Mourinho lost his temper yesterday when Chelsea were refused a spot-kick against Newcastle. However, Ferguson said today: "I have looked at Saturday's incident and O'Shea definitely got the ball, there is no doubt about it."

In an interview after his side's drew 0-0 at St James' Park to dent their Premiership aspirations, Mourinho had suggested there was a conspiracy among his clubs to favour the Premiership leaders.

Infuriated by referee Mark Halsey's decision not to penalise Stephen Carr after he appeared to handle a cross from Salomon Kalou, Mourinho said: "One rule is that penalties are not allowed against Manchester United and the other is that Chelsea don't get penalties. With these new football rules, we are doing well and, if someone punishes me for speaking the truth, it is the end of democracy."

Mourinho's allegations carried a sinister undertone, although he denied it. “I’m just speaking about facts,” he said, “not conspiracy, so nobody can punish me. It looks as if it’s forbidden to give a penalty against United or in our favour. If anyone tells me it wasn’t a penalty for Sheffield, a penalty for Middlesbrough or one for us against Newcastle, I will go to my optician.”

Yet the tenth-minute incident involving Carr at St James’ Park was not clear-cut and other statistics cast doubt on Mourinho’s contention. United have had three penalties awarded against them at their own ground — albeit in comfortable victories over Wigan Athletic and Bolton Wanderers — while Chelsea have scored from the spot on five occasions this season.

He was more sanguine about Friday’s statement by Peter Kenyon, the Chelsea chief executive, who said that Mourinho would not be dismissed this summer. Roman Abramovich was on Tyneside to witness a disappointing performance, but Mourinho is still to discuss his future with the club’s owner. One element of friction appears to have been resolved, with Mourinho saying that his backroom staff were to be awarded new contracts and that “no” additions were being imposed upon him. “The story is over,” he said. “I have worked with the board for almost three years. It feels good and we’ll work together for the future.”

With files from George Caulkin