Blatter's intervention came on Thursday, with the most powerful man in world football calling for Ferguson and England boss Sven-Goran Eriksson to get tough with the teenager and even joking: "I wouldn't say you have to beat him ... but maybe a little."

The comments clearly got under Ferguson's skin.

"Sepp Blatter is a very influential person who says many things and people do listen to him," the Scot said on Friday.

"Some of those things are very interesting and worthwhile, particularly when he is talking about club ownership because there is a concern for everyone there.

"We also hear talk that certain clubs are signing up 30 African-born boys at a time. That should be a concern as well.

"These are major issues which I don't think FIFA ever take up. They seem quite happy to take up smaller issues, like talking about a 19-year-old Manchester United player, rather than pursue the really important issues in the game."

Blatter has infuriated Ferguson before when he claimed United Rio Ferdinand was fortunate to receive only an eight-month ban for missing a drugs test.