Wayne Rooney has been warned as to his future conduct by the Football Association but faces no further disciplinary action after being sent off at Fulham on Saturday. The Manchester United forward, a half-time substitute, was dismissed for two bookings during his side's 2–0 defeat.

Rooney lashed out at the corner flag as he left the field, having been shown a second yellow card for throwing the ball in anger after the referee, Phil Dowd, ordered United to retake a free-kick. The player's first booking had been for holding back Olivier Dacourt and he argued with the official as he was ordered from the field.

An FA spokesman said it will write to Rooney and issue him with a formal warning about his conduct as a result of the corner flag incident but are satisfied that the player was not abusive to Dowd. "We have clarified with Phil Dowd that there was no abuse from the player after he was dismissed. In relation to the incident when he punched the corner flag, the referee did not see that and we have written to Wayne Rooney reminding him of his responsibilities," the spokesperson said.

Rooney will only be suspended for the visit of Aston Villa to Old Trafford on 5 April. Paul Scholes and Nemanja Vidic will also miss the fixture – the first time in the club's history they will be without three players through suspension.

Both Aston Villa and Sunderland will appeal after they had players sent off on Sunday. Brad Friedel was dismissed in Aston Villa's 5–0 defeat at Anfield, bringing down Fernando Torres for a penalty, but the American argues he had nowhere to go after he was beaten to a 50-50 ball.

George McCartney was also shown a straight red card after he was adjudged to have denied Shaun Wright-Phillips an obvious goalscoring opportunity during Manchester City's 1–0 win. Replays suggested contact was minimal and that Wright-Phillips was unlikely to reach the ball before the goalkeeper Marton Fulop.