Sir Alex Ferguson has revealed that he criticised Alan Wiley because he was so disappointed with the performance of his side against Sunderland.

Manchester United were way below their best in the Old Trafford clash earlier this month and needed a late Anton Ferdinand own goal to salvage a 2-2 draw.

Ferguson deflected the blame away from his players after the match and instead vented his fury at Wiley, describing the referee as 'unfit'.

The Red Devils boss has already apologised for his remarks but has now offered up an explanation for his misplaced anger.

Ferguson, who is set to discover on Monday whether he will face a charge from the Football Association, has also said sorry again to Wiley.

"We certainly weren't firing on all cylinders in that game," he admitted.

"Our passing was woeful and quite out of character which is perhaps why my feelings afterwards got the better of me with regard to the referee.

"That's why I felt later that it was fair to apologise. I hope he has accepted my apology because I have always respected Alan Wiley, who is a good referee, and my remarks were not intended to be a slur on his integrity.

"I hope that I shall have the opportunity to speak to him personally."

Rio Ferdinand has insisted he is still as determined as ever to achieve success with Manchester United despite a shaky start to the season.

England international Ferdinand has been criticised for a number of defensive lapses for both club and country during the early part of the season, while he has also been hampered by injury problems.

Sir Alex Ferguson has tipped his player to rediscover the sort of form that has made him one of the most respected centre-backs in the business but there have been suggestions in the media that Ferdinand has become distracted by some of his interests away from football.

Ferdinand, whose latest venture is to take on the role of executive producer for a new British movie, maintains that his performances on the pitch will not be affected.

"First and foremost I'm a footballer and winning trophies is the be all and end all for me," he told the News of the World.

"The film is an off-shoot, something away from football and something separate to my career. One of the main points was that it could not interrupt or interfere with my football."

Committed

"I know where my priorities lie. I'm as committed as ever. The fight is still there and the hunger is still in my game."

Ferdinand is proud of what he has accomplished with United in recent years and wants to keep playing to the same high level.

He added: "It still hurts to lose football matches, no matter what level I am playing at.

"Winning trophies is important to me and I'm used to being part of a successful United side.

"The hunger and the desire is still there to maintain those standards. Nothing has changed."

Manchester United winger Nani has been pleased with his start to the season but says there is still a lot more to come.

The Portugal international was only given limited opportunities to impress during his first two seasons at Old Trafford after arriving in 2007.

He has been entrusted with more responsibility since Cristiano Ronaldo left the club for Real Madrid over the summer and has shown glimpses of his best form.

The 22-year-old nevertheless insists there is room for improvement and he is confident the fans will soon see him perform on a more consistent basis.

"Everyone knows it was more difficult for me when Ronaldo was here at United," Nani told The People.

"It was always difficult for the manager to play with the two of us together.

"But now Cristiano has gone I can show my ambition for the club and I am working very hard. I have pledged to myself that this is going to be my season.

"I am only thinking about this season. Forget the past. I want to be the man. I have a lot to do to show people my best because I haven't done that yet at United.

"I have played a lot of games and done some good things, but I need to improve."

Portugal

Nani is also convinced that Portugal can book their place in the World Cup after sealing a play-off spot, while he admits he would love to see national team manager Carlos Queiroz return to United at some point in the future.

"Portugal have to be confident now because we have done well with a lot of new players and they are getting better all the time," he said.

"It must be very different for Carlos Queiroz because here in Manchester he was the second coach.

"Being No.1 is a completely different position, but he is still the same person with me.

"Maybe he can come back here to United one day. I hope so, but you just never know."

Lionel Messi is the leading contender among the 30-strong list of nominees for the Ballon d'Or award voted by France Football magazine.

Barcelona and Argentina ace Messi is favourite for the prize of European Footballer of the Year after inspiring Barcelona to an unprecented treble of La Liga, Copa del Rey and UEFA Champions League last season.

Messi's Barca team-mates Thierry Henry, Xavi, Andres Iniesta and Yaya Toure are all in the running for the prize.

Last year's winner Cristiano Ronaldo is among the contenders again following his move to Real Madrid.

Ronaldo's former Manchester United team-mates Ryan Giggs, Wayne Rooney and Nemanja Vidic also make the shortlist.

Liverpool duo Steven Gerrard and Fernando Torres are also nominated along with Arsenal pair Cesc Fabregas and Andrey Arshavin.

Chelsea trio John Terry, Frank Lampard and Didier Drogba are also up for the award

There is not a single Italian player among the 30 nominees with the winner to be announced on 1st December.

Shortlist:

Andrey Arshavin (Arsenal), Karim Benzema (Real Madrid), Iker Casillas (Real Madrid), Cristiano Ronaldo (Real Madrid), Diego (Juventus), Didier Drogba (Chelsea), Edin Dzeko (Wolfsburg), Samuel Eto'o (Inter Milan), Cesc Fabregas (Arsenal), Fernando Torres (Liverpool), Diego Forlan (Atletico Madrid), Steven Gerrard (Liverpool), Ryan Giggs (Manchester United), Yoann Gourcuff (Bordeaux), Thierry Henry (Barcelona), Zlatan Ibrahimovic (Barcelona), Andres Iniesta (Barcelona), Julio Cesar (Inter Milan), Kaka (Real Madrid), Frank Lampard (Chelsea), Maicon (Inter Milan), Lionel Messi (Barcelona), Luis Fabiano (Sevilla), Franck Ribery (Bayern Munich), Wayne Rooney (Manchester United), John Terry (Chelsea), Nemanja Vidic (Manchester United), David Villa (Valencia), Xavi (Barcelona), Yaya Toure (Barcelona).