Sir Alex Ferguson is hoping Manchester United are one day as "lucky" as Liverpool in their dealings with the FA.
Ferguson launched a bitter attack on the FA's disciplinary panel after Steven Gerrard was cleared to face United at Old Trafford on Sunday despite being involved in two high-profile incidents it was felt could land him in hot water with the game's authorities.
Instead, no action was taken following an alleged abusive gesture during the Reds' defeat at Wigan last week and then a poor challenge on Portsmouth's Michael Brown at Anfield on Monday.
Given Rio Ferdinand received a four-match ban less than two months ago for an attack on Hull forward Craig Fagan, Ferguson feels Liverpool are benefiting from an advantage he wishes his own team could get.
"We know that," responded Ferguson when it was pointed out Gerrard was not the first Liverpool player to benefit from non-action by the FA as Javier Mascherano also escaped censure for a similar incident in a Carling Cup tie against Leeds earlier this season.
"They do all right with that. They are lucky with that.
"It happens. Maybe in some years we will get lucky too. Who knows?"
A long-time critic of the FA's handling of disciplinary matters, Ferguson claims to no longer care about their handling of individual issues.
Clearly though, the Scot is perturbed.
"I didn't expect them to be charging Steven Gerrard simply because I think it is a dysfunctional unit, the FA," he said.
"I don't think they know what they are doing.
"There is no consistency for a start. I didn't expect to get any.
"I am not too bothered about it. They can do what they want down there. It is crazy at times."
Ferguson does have an answer, which involves what he feels would be a valuable contribution from the many experienced fellow managers who currently find themselves out of work.
"For many years the League Managers' Association have tried to have an input," he said.
"You have maybe 20 redundant managers with good experience and good knowledge of the game who have played the game. They could be involved in that.
"It would save a fortune because you cannot imagine what it is costing to run that FA disciplinary operation down in London."
It is unlikely Ferguson will be contacted by the FA for a further explanation, although should they do so it would come after Sunday's clash of the north-west titans.
As United are looking to maintain their present position at the Premier League summit, Ferguson is desperate to end a three-match losing streak - all of which have included the dismissal of Nemanja Vidic - at the hands of Rafael Benitez.
At the start of the season, Liverpool were tipped as championship-winning material.
However, instead of building on their second-placed finish last term, Benitez's men have crumbled, not even certain to claim a Champions League spot.
Not that Ferguson is entirely surprised.
"Liverpool had an exceptional season last year. They hit a peak.
"They did very well and got a run going.
"When you get consistency and form it helps you but I felt it would be difficult for them to achieve that again."
Ferguson is reluctant to describe himself as having sympathy for Benitez's plight.
However, having run into trouble in mid-season by the loss of nearly all his key defenders, the United boss is sympathetic to the view Liverpool would have been far stronger this term had star man Fernando Torres managed to stay fit.
"The word sympathy is a bit strong," he said.
"You feel for any manager who doesn't do well.
"But Rafa was right when he said if Torres has been available all season the gap would have been smaller.
"He is a top player. When you don't have your top players you don't get top results.
"It happened to us when all our defenders were injured. What do you expect?"
United have Ryan Giggs available this weekend after the veteran Welshman recovered from the broken hand he suffered at Aston Villa last month.
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