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Sir Alex Ferguson has accused the Football Association of treating Manchester United unfairly.

The United manager, hit with a five-match touchline ban last season, made the claims while talking about having up to eight players on England duty.

Ferguson, 69, said: "The FA may realise who has produced more players for their country than any club in the world.

"Maybe they will realise how important we are to England instead of treating us like s***."

In March, Ferguson was given a five-match touchline ban and £30,000 fine by the FA for criticising referee Martin Atkinson. He initially received a three-game ban for the remarks and saw a two-game suspended ban he had previously earned for saying referee Alan Wiley was not "fit enough" to keep up with play activated.

The following month, United striker Wayne Rooney was banned for two matches for swearing into a TV camera.

United's possible call-ups to England squad Wayne Rooney

Rio Ferdinand

Ashley Young

Michael Carrick

Tom Cleverley

Phil Jones

Danny Welbeck

Chris Smalling

Those bans led to Manchester United chief executive David Gill claiming in June the FA had singled out the club for "harsh" punishments.

"There were some poor-ish decisions that wouldn't have necessarily hit others - the actual punishments were harsh," said FA board member Gill.

"That's not to say I'm condoning Wayne's comments, because I don't think they were correct, or what Sir Alex said, because it wasn't helpful.

"We're possibly being caught up in being one of the biggest clubs and the [FA's] Respect agenda being there.

"What better way to demonstrate the authorities are being tough than by hitting one of the biggest clubs the hardest?"

Ferguson's comments came as he spoke about the number of his players who could be called up by England this weekend.

Manager Fabio Capello is due to name his squad for next month's Euro 2012 qualifiers against Bulgaria and Wales on Sunday evening, and United could have as many as eight representatives.

Ferguson is delighted with that but took the opportunity to criticise the FA over the punishments handed out to the club last season.

"It's not a problem, it's fantastic," he added. "Maybe they will realise how important we are to England.

"I am pleased for the players. They are outstanding."

The FA has declined to comment on Ferguson's accusation.