Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson has launched a furious attack on Jose Mourinho, accusing the Chelsea boss of launching a calculated 'war' that should be punished by football authorities.

Fresh from claiming the Premier League were now operating under 'new rules' which effectively prevented Manchester United from conceding any penalties and his own side having any awarded in their favour, Mourinho turned his ire on United winger Cristiano Ronaldo.

Mourinho branded his fellow countryman 'a liar' after Ronaldo attacked the Chelsea manager's previous statements, claiming he did not know how to handle failure.

After keeping out of the debate all week, Mourinho's latest outburst triggered a reaction from Ferguson, who has been staggered at his rival's continued outbursts.

The Scot has already warned Mourinho to 'button his lip' once this season and, on the eve of a potentially-pivotal lunchtime double-header as United head to Everton and Chelsea host Bolton, Ferguson believes enough is enough.

"I am surprised no action has been taken against him. He just seems to go on, and on, and on," said Ferguson.

"Jose Mourinho seems to be on some sort of personal crusade about regulations and honesty and suspicion in the game. Everyone is entitled to have a comment or opinion. Ronaldo has an opinion. That doesn't mean to say he is a liar.

"He is on about us changing the regulations. I would like to know who is doing it? Is it us? The FA? The Premier League? Uefa? I really feel he has been let off lightly with those comments."

Ferguson cannot understand Mourinho frustration following what he sees as a couple of debatable calls.

"Maybe he forgets he is not at Porto now," said Ferguson.

"We all get good and bad decisions. Does he remember the goal Paul Scholes had disallowed for offside when we played against Porto in the European Cup?

"We didn't like it and we complained. But we didn't go to war on it.

"Or should he be pointing to the fact Tottenham were forced to play on a Easter Saturday morning, a day and a half after their previous game, to allow Chelsea to rest before their European tie?

"We have to play Manchester City at 12.45 on a Saturday after a European tie in Milan next Wednesday. Is that fair? We don't think so but we are not going to start accusing the Premier League of carving things up with Chelsea."

Ferguson raised more than an eyebrow or two when he accused Mourinho of making calculated statements aimed at increasing the pressure on match officials.

"He is saying our game is suspicious," said the Scot.

"He has abused Barcelona in the past, he has abused a Swedish referee (Anders Frisk). He put the German referee (Markus Merk) under pressure the other night. He insulted Liverpool, a club with a great history, by suggested their players were going to hunt down Didier Drogba to get him booked.

"Jesus, God. It is a rant all the time now. I don't think it is fair to the game.  The thing is Jose is a very clever man. In some people's eyes he is a hero. I don't know who is a villain and who is a hero.

"The biggest fear for us is that by citing the fact we are not allowed to get penalties at Old Trafford - and we have had three against us this year and there have been none at Stamford Bridge - it puts a terrible pressure on the referees.

"It is a calculated move. We have four games to go now. If we get a penalty kick against us in that time, Mourinho wins that war. That is wrong."