Wayne Rooney is facing the prospect of a Football Association charge after mouthing the words “12 men” into a television camera.

The United players had protested when John Terry’s header glanced off Nicolas Anelka and beyond Edwin van der Sar for Chelsea’s 76th-minute winner and there were also appeals for a first-half penalty when Antonio Valencia tangled with Terry.

As Rooney left the field, he mouthed the words “12 men” into the TV camera. Although he did not swear, Rooney’s outburst will evoke comparisons with Didier Drogba’s infamous rant after the Champions League semi-final against Barcelona that prompted a three-match Uefa ban.

Chelsea were also unhappy after Fletcher appeared to encourage Atkinson to take action against Richardo Carvalho following a challenge on Rooney.

“I think that the United players protested a lot, I don’t know why – I don’t like this,” said Carlo Ancelotti, the Chelsea manager.

Ancelotti also said that Drogba was now “struggling to move” following a challenge with Jonny Evans but admitted his striker may have been in an offside position for Chelsea’s goal when he tangled with Brown.

“Maybe Drogba was offside, but it’s very difficult to see this because there were a lot of people in the box,” said Ancelotti.It is not the first time that Ferguson has clashed with Atkinson. In March 2008, the manager was given a severe warning by the FA for criticising Atkinson and the Premier League head of referees, Keith Hackett, after United lost 1-0 to Portsmouth.