Ferguson has been given a two-match touchline ban and £10,000 fine by the FA following his row with referee Mike Dean this month.

The 66-year-old was fuming that Dean did not send off Hull defender Michael Turner for a foul on Michael Carrick during United's 4-3 Barclays Premier League win at Old Trafford.

That Dean then awarded Hull a penalty for an innocuous Rio Ferdinand challenge on Bernard Mendy only infuriated the Scot even more.

Ferguson served a two-match ban last term for a finger-jabbing rant at referee Mark Clattenburg following a defeat at Bolton.

The Scot's latest suspension starts on December 2 and means he will not be pitchside for the Carling Cup match against Blackburn the following day.

He will also miss out on a touchline reunion with former United captain Roy Keane, who brings his Sunderland side to Old Trafford for a Premier League match on December 6.

Ferguson had claimed the FA were "dying" to hit him with his latest improper conduct charge.

At a meeting at the City of Manchester Stadium on Tuesday, the FA's Regulatory Commission took into account Ferguson's admission of the charge and his previous disciplinary record.

Drogba, meanwhile, has been given a three-match ban after admitting a charge of violent conduct.

He threw a coin back into the Burnley crowd after scoring in Chelsea's Carling Cup fourth-round defeat last Wednesday.

The 30-year-old admitted the charge earlier this week and apologised to the Burnley fans after the incident.

An FA statement read: "At a regulatory commission today, Chelsea forward Didier Drogba was given a three match suspension.

"Drogba admitted a charge of violent conduct. The charge related to Drogba throwing a missile into the away section of the crowd after scoring during the League Cup match against Burnley at Stamford Bridge on Wednesday 12 November.

"Drogba will serve the suspension with immediate effect."