Rio Ferdinand has thanked the Chelsea fans who taunted him for inspiring Manchester United’s comeback at Stamford Bridge.

The Red Devils were 3-0 down just five minutes into the second half of the Premier League match but came back to draw 3-3 thanks to two Wayne Rooney penalties and a header from Javier Hernandez.

And the United centre back, whose brother Anton is at the centre of the John Terry row after accusing the England man of racially abusing him, was booed throughout
the match.

However, the defender later hit back via Twitter, commenting: “I got booed by the CFC fans today — well done guys. Thanks for inspiring me & the lads! “That’s like fuel to me! TeamSpirit.”

Chants of “Rio Ferdinand, your brother’s a ****,” were alleged to be heard at Stamford Bridge in an unsavoury show of support for Terry, who was absent due to injury, following the incident in October.

The FA recently stripped Terry of the England captaincy, against the wishes of manager Fabio Capello, after the centre-back’s trial was delayed until July 9, after the Euro 2012 finals.

Blues manager Andre Villas-Boas said: “You have to condemn it when there is discriminatory, aggressive behaviour but you don’t expect opposing fans to cheer
your players.”

Sir Alex Ferguson risked the wrath of The FA after criticising referee’s assistant Darren Cann’s performance during Manchester United’s 3-3 draw with Chelsea on Sunday, with the Scot claiming his side were cheated out of an extra two penalties.

United completed a stunning comeback from 3-0 down at Stamford Bridge thanks to two Wayne Rooney penalties and a late effort from substitute Javier

Hernandez after a first-half Jonny Evans own goal, and quick-fire efforts from Juan Mata and David Luiz had given the hosts the lead.

Chelsea boss Andre Villas-Boas was left incensed after Howard Webb awarded United a penalty after Daniel Sturridge brought down Patrice Evra in the box, while his sense of injustice was heightened further when Branislav Ivanovic’s tackle on Danny Welbeck ended in the same outcome.

However, Ferguson remains adamant that both challenges warranted a penalty being awarded, and said his side could have gone on to win the game if Cann had seen Jose Bosingwa’s pull on Ashley Young’s shirt amongst
other incidents.

“The two penalties in the second half were justified. I think we could have had four in the game,” he told Sky Sports.

“The linesman has given two penalties against us at Old Trafford in the last two years, one against Arsenal and one against Liverpool. 45 yards away and he gave them. I don’t blame Howard Webb, I blame the assistant.

“There was a pull on Ashley Young, inside the box, in front of the linesman and he doesn’t give it. Yet he gives them at Old Trafford. There was a pull on Ashley’s shirt so he’s not diving, obviously. I can’t understand it, where do they get them from?”

The draw at Stamford Bridge meant that United lost ground in the title race to rivals
Manchester City.