The Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson has been given a two-match touchline ban and £10,000 fine by the FA on an improper conduct charge following his row with referee Mike Dean after United's 4-3 Premier League win over Hull on November 1.

Ferguson was furious that United had been refused a penalty following a challenge on Michael Carrick by Andy Turner, who had already been booked, and then subsequently had a dubious penalty given against them. He marched on to the pitch after the game to give Dean his opinion of the decisions. The suspension starts on December 2 and means Ferguson will not be pitchside for the Carling Cup match against Blackburn the following day or for the visit of former United captain Roy Keane, who brings his Sunderland side to Old Trafford for a Premier League match on December 6.

Meanwhile, police have allowed Manchester City and Manchester United to play home games on the same night in December after United's tie against Blackburn was put back 24 hours to Wednesday, December 3. City will host Paris St Germain in the Uefa Cup on the same night.

United and Blackburn were both keen to change the date as they have Premier League fixtures on the previous Sunday, with Blackburn facing a long trip to Portsmouth and United taking on their city rivals.