Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson has hit out at the Football Association's decision to overturn the red card John Terry received at the weekend.

The Chelsea captain was dismissed by referee Mark Halsey for serious foul play during Saturday's 3-1 victory against Manchester City.

The defender was set to sit out the next three games for his challenge on City striker Jo, but Chelsea appealed the decision.

It emerged that the club were successful in their appeal on Tuesday, prior to the Blues' 4-0 win over Bordeaux in the UEFA Champions League, making Terry available for the clash against Manchester United on Sunday.

Ferguson has now voiced his disapproval over the decision, declaring the verdict may have been influenced by Keith Hackett, head of the Professional Game Match Officials Board, and not Halsey.

The Scot said: "I understand Hackett told ref Mark Halsey to rescind the card and he wouldn't. So now he is refereeing in League Two this weekend.

"I do not understand how this has happened. If it had been a Manchester United player, Hackett would not have done this.

"This is going to have to happen all the time if a referee is considered to have made a mistake."