Blackburn boss Paul Ince has launched a verbal assault on referee Steve Bennett following his side's 2-0 loss to Manchester United.

Although the former Red Devils favourite was quick to acknowledge that Blackburn had ultimately been well beaten, Ince was incensed at the way in which United broke the deadlock in the first half through Wes Brown.

Attempting to reach Wayne Rooney's cross, Rovers goalkeeper Jason Brown clashed with Nemanja Vidic and fell to the ground as Brown nodded the ball into an empty net.

"It was disappointing," said Ince of Bennett's decision not to award a foul.

"I am not saying we would have won but you never know. We were still in the game at 0-0 when it happened.

"We get all this advice saying the referees are fitter than they have ever been and yet he can't see Vidic put an elbow in my keeper's throat. It was a diabolical decision by the referee."

Wayne Rooney went on to double United's advantage after the break to crown a consummate performance by the Premier League and UEFA Champions League holders.

Despite feeing aggrieved, Ince was magnanimous in defeat and went on to lavish praise on the visitors from Old Trafford.

"Their squad is worth US$400million, they brought on Carlos Tevez, who on his own would cost more than all my players put together, so I don't think we under-performed.

"They are a great side. They are the Premier League champions and the Champions League winners. They can replace people like Rooney with people like Tevez.

"They have some of the best players in the world. Sometimes you just have to hold your hands up and say: 'well done'."