LONDON (Reuters) – Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson has rounded on critics of goalkeeper David De Gea, calling them "idiots".

The 22-year-old Spaniard was lambasted for failing to deal with a cross that led to an injury-time equaliser for Tottenham Hotspur in Sunday’s 1-1 Premier League draw.

Manchester United's manager Alex Ferguson reacts during their Premier League match against Reading at the Madejski Stadium in Reading, southern England December 1, 2012. REUTERS/Eddie Keogh

"It’s been over the top. It is always over the top when it comes to criticism here," Ferguson, whose team face Fulham in the FA Cup on Saturday, was quoted as saying on the BBC. "You have to listen to some idiots in the game.

"I am not interested in discussing it because we know it is unfounded."

Ferguson was asked by the FA to explain comments he made in the wake of the match when he criticised assistant referee Simon Beck for not giving his side a penalty for a foul on striker Wayne Rooney.

"We are high profile and the profile of me is such that the FA naturally panic as soon as the press criticise them," said Ferguson, who will find out on Tuesday if he is going to be charged.

"Whether I think it is unfair or not doesn’t matter to them really at this point.

"I just think it is more about me than what I have said."

(Reporting by Toby Davis; editing by Pritha Sarkar)

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