West Ham survived, beating Manchester United 1-0 at Old Trafford, where Ferguson left Cristiano Ronaldo, Ryan Giggs and Paul Scholes on the bench and consigned former Hammer Rio Ferdinand to the stands.

An angry Warnock told Sky Sports: "I thought Sir Alex would play a stronger team today and to see him celebrating on the pitch [after being presented with the Premiership trophy] leaves a bitter taste.

"You can blame everyone really can`t you? What goes around comes around. I`m looking forward to the [FA] Cup final and the Champions League final."

That seemed to be a reference to the full-strength teams Warnock expects United and Liverpool to turn out in those matches, Liverpool having turned out a weakened side at Fulham who won 1-0 to clinch safety.

Warnock then turned on referee Rob Styles, who denied the Blades a penalty at Old Trafford in April - Warnock`s team lost 2-0 - and also gave Liverpool a controversial penalty against United at Bramall Lane, denying them an opening-day victory.

"There were two penalties from Rob Styles this season but he won`t be bothered tonight. He won`t be hurt. There were some other decisions, the commission [ruling that West Ham would be fined and not docked points over the transfers of Carlos Tevez and Javier Mascherano].

"It`s easier for Sheffield United to be relegated than West Ham... it will be fish and chip paper by Tuesday."

Warnock added; "A lot [of people] will be quite happy at the club being relegated. We couldn`t climb the final hurdle. It`s a horrible time, you feel sick in the stomach.

"You feel very bitter. It seems to be one thing after. It`s very difficult at this moment."

Manager Paul Jewell, who was palpably under pressure as he argued with officials during five minutes of injury-time, was proud of his players.

"We played well, it was backs-to-the-wall stuff," he said.

"We defended manfully - something we haven't always done this season.

"I always thought there'd be some twists and turns and it's an amazing achievement.

"We've shown everyone, the so-called experts. I've forgotten more about football than they've ever known."

David Unsworth, who joined the Latics on a free from United in January, scored the winner from the penalty spot after goals from Paul Scharner and Jon Stead, and Jewell believes his display was exemplary.

"He was great. He epitomised us today. It was backs to the wall stuff and it's been great."