Ferdinand was hit with a violent conduct charge by the Football Association for striking Hull's Craig Fagan in a Premier League game at Old Trafford on January 23. Had the 31-year-old accepted the punishment, he would have missed the Carling Cup semi-final second leg against Manchester City.
But United decided to appeal and Ferdinand played in the semi final, but was promptly given an extra match ban. Yet United felt Ferdinand had a case and have opted to challenge, even though further matches could be added to the current four-game suspension if the disciplinary panel decides otherwise next Monday.
But Sir is confident they can win the appeal by using evidence showing that Liverpool’s Mascherano got away without even being charged for what they believe was a very similar incident against Leeds in September, when the Argentina star caught Jermaine Beckford on the head.
"The concern is the word frivolous," said Ferguson.
"The two most experienced referees in the Premier League are Alan Wiley and Steve Bennett.
"They are under the same controls and the same directions. One says yes (Bennett), in the case of Rio, and one says no (Wiley), in the case of Javier Mascherano against Leeds United when he punched the player in the back of the head.
"When you see that example, we don't think our appeal was frivolous."