Manchester United v Chelsea: Rio Ferdinand escapes FA action for 'shove' on Fernando Torres

Manchester United defender will face no further action for incident in FA Cup tie against Chelsea

Rio Ferdinand pictured in Manchester United's 2-2 draw with Chelsea (GETTY IMAGES)

Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand will face no further action for shoving Fernando Torres in the back during the weekend's FA Cup tie against Chelsea.

The defender appeared to push the Chelsea striker in the back in an off the ball incident at Old Trafford, sending the Spaniard to the deck before helping him up.

Referee Howard Webb did not appear to see the incident during the 2-2 draw, meaning he was unable to take any action at the time.

Rules stipulate that if a referee misses an incident, the FA can take retrospective action, which it was thought Ferdinand could face.

However the FA have decided no further action will be taken against the 34-year-old.

It is the second time in a week Ferdinand has escaped punishment, with some expecting the defender to face a charge after he sarcastically clapped in the face of referee Cuneyt Cakir at the end of Manchester United's Champions League defeat to Real Madrid.

The Manchester United player tweeted this afternoon: "My timeline is full of bitter people...come on guys we are all alive, enjoy each day + give thanks! We on the home run #EPL let's do this."

The confirmation means Ferdinand will be free to play in the quarter-final replay which is yet to be re-arranged. The winner will play Manchester City at Wembley in the semi-final.