Sir Alex Ferguson has been charged with misconduct by the Football Association following his altercation with referee Mark Clattenburg.

The Manchester United manager has been accused of "using abusive and insulting words towards an official" after an exchange with Clattenburg at the Reebok Stadium on Saturday.

Ferguson was sent to the stands by the referee following his finger-jabbing rant at half-time during United's 1-0 defeat to Bolton Wanderers, when the Scot told the official "exactly what he thought of him".

Clattenburg included his version of the incident in his report of the game, which was examined by Soho Square disciplinary chiefs today.

Ferguson was upset that Clattenburg failed to protect his players against what he claimed were "over-aggressive" tactics from Gary Megson's side, with Kevin Davies meting out some rough treatment on full-back Patrice Evra. The French defender felt one first-half tackle from Davies merited a red-card.

"Some referees don't like the truth," Ferguson said after the game.

Ferguson has until December 11 to respond and he faces a fine and the possibility of a touchline ban if found guilty.

"You can expect a team in Bolton's position to play that way," he said today. "You expect a team near the bottom to battle, scrap and fight.

"Obviously they do not have the quality of opponents like ourselves. That is why they we are in different positions in the league.

"But the key thing is how the referee controls it. He is the arbiter in terms of the application of the rules of football. That is where we feel a bit aggrieved."

Ironically, earlier this month, Ferguson claimed Clattenburg was one of the Premier League's best referees, although he has not brought them much luck this season, taking charge of the defeats at Manchester City and Bolton.

Ferguson was hit with a two-match touchline ban and a £10,000 fine in 2003 when he launched a stinging attack on Jeff Winter, who was acting as fourth official during United's encounter with Newcastle United at St James' Park.