Larsen, who took charge of the Champions League semi-final first leg between Manchester United and Arsenal last year, said the Portuguese international is "always out to get a cheap free-kick, especially at home.

“We tended to talk in the referee’s room before games about how he would go down easily. We know not to be biased, but we have to be prepared.

"He has a clean slate at the start of every game. When he would lie down after failing to win a free-kick, he would smile at me because he knew I didn’t fall for his stunts.”

Talking about United boss Fergie, Larsen, whose career included 97 internationals, said: “I have a good relationship with Ferguson, even though he is always screaming and shouting at referees.

“I’ll never forget him coming to hammer on my dressing-room door after a Champions League game at Old Trafford. He simply said: ‘That was the best refereeing performance in many years.’ It was great.”