Former Premier League referee Graham Poll thinks that Sir Alex Ferguson's outburst at the officials that awarded Newcastle United a controversial penalty against Manchester United at the weekend was "nonsense".

The Scotsman criticised the officials' ability to make the decision, which resulted in a penalty given by the linesman despite the referee initially awarding a corner kick.

"Sir Alex was talking nonsense," Poll told talkSPORT. "He was frustrated with the refereeing decision and also how his team had played. Fitness is not an issue, it's just one of those decisions, it's inexplicable but it happens.

"It doesn't cost you a title. Every time they have won the title they have had decisions that have gone their way big style.

"He hasn't come out and said then that they only won the title because of those refereeing decisions. It's a poor mistake and a poor decision, but it's easy to say that in the cold light of day."

The Red Devils dropped two points in their bid to reach Manchester City with a 1-1 draw with Newcastle at Old Trafford on Saturday.