Moyes admits FA misconduct charge

The Manchester United boss labelled the performance of referee Andre Marriner and his officials as "terrible" after their Capital One Cup semi-final first-leg loss to Sunderland

Manchester United manager David Moyes has admitted a charge of misconduct over comments made to the media following the Capital One Cup semi-final defeat to Sunderland.

The Scot described the performance of referee Andre Marriner and his officials as "terrible" after Ryan Giggs's own goal and Fabio Borini's penalty left United with a first-leg deficit.

"We're having to play them [the officials] as well as the opposition at the moment," said Moyes after the defeat. "It's really terrible, it really is. We're actually beginning to laugh at them, that's the thing."

Giggs diverted into his own net after Marriner awarded a free kick following Jonny Evans' challenge on Steven Fletcher, with Sebastian Larsson's resulting set-piece collected by Wes Brown and fired across the six-yard box where Giggs inadvertently bundled the ball home.

"I thought the referee was going to blow in our direction for the first goal," Moyes continued. "I couldn't believe he gave a free kick. It was a terrible decision.

"We defended a terrible free kick but how the referee has given a free kick for that is way beyond me. I just cannot see how that is a free kick. The centre-half and the centre-forward jumped together and he gave them a free kick."

The Football Association told Goal that Moyes has asked for a non-personal hearing.