Former ref Graham Poll says officials are not intimidated by Sir Alex Ferguson and is not "killing" them at all.

Poll believes Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez was wrong to claim his Manchester United counterpart Sir Alex Ferguson gets under the skin of match officials.

Benitez argued that Ferguson's criticism of referees was "killing" them, and claimed the Football Association have not acted strongly enough.

Benitez said on Friday: "He is the only manager in the league that cannot be punished for these things."

But Poll told BBC Radio 5 Live tonight: "What I would say about refereeing at Old Trafford is it's the place to go and referee in the Premier League - because it's the biggest one, so that's where referees aspire to.

"The first time you go there, of course you're going to be nervous; of course you're going to be tentative and you're well aware of reputations.

"But once you're an experienced referee it doesn't make any difference. You go out and referee completely impartially to the best of your ability.

"It's a slight on the top referees to say they are intimidated by Ferguson, because I don't think they are."

Poll also dismissed suggestions Ferguson exerts any more pressure on referees that other managers at games.

"He doesn't do any more," said Poll.

"What he does, he does better. That I think is the key."

Poll described Benitez's attitude to referees as "almost ambivalent" and claimed referees have "no contact" with the Liverpool boss at matches, revealing Ferguson is more personable.

However, the former World Cup referee does believe the FA could take more action against managers.

Poll said: "If people are saying things which they should be charged for, which I think they are, the FA should be standing up to them."

Referring to Tottenham manager Harry Redknapp, who described referee Steve Tanner as "scary" last month, Poll said: "That is seen as acceptable by the FA. That comment was passed and they're not charging Harry Redknapp, because it's not questioning his [the referee's] impartiality."

He added: "The anger should be directed at the FA, because if you're allowed to do things you'll continue to do them.

"If it is wrong the FA need to be called to task and (told), 'This is what's right and this is what's wrong'."