United lost 2-0 at Anfield, following goals by Fernando Torres and David Ngog.
Fergie was not impressed by United’s performance in the game but was unhappy with the decision-making of Marriner.
He told Sky Sports: “I’m disappointed by the performance, the first half in particular. It was a bad performance by us.
“We didn’t handle the atmosphere of the game, I thought. We didn’t handle the decisions against as well. We should have been better at that, we have got enough experience to do it.
“The second half we improved a good deal. But we lost out to one or two major decisions.”
United were disappointed not to be awarded a penalty when Jamie Carragher crunched Michael Carrick in the first half. But also that Carragher was not shown a red card when he brought down Michael Owen as the last man.
Nemanja Vidic was also sent off for United in the closing minutes for a second booking.
Ferguson believes Marriner may have been influenced by the electric atmosphere at Anfield.
Fergie continued: “I think they got a wee bit caught up in some of the atmosphere – the wounded animal aspect of it. The fans were fanatical and every decision they put the referee under pressure.
“For instance on Vidic, clearly it is a foul. But then he wins the second ball and gets booked for that. The crowd got him booked
“The atmosphere is hard to handle for the referee. Whether he had enough experience, I don’t know. He will certainly learn from it.”
Ferguson added: “The most controversial decision was Carragher bringing down Michael Owen. He was clear through.
“The laws of the game were altered to prevent professional fouls of that nature and if Carragher goes off, he is their best player and their captain. It would have been a different game. They would have been under pressure.
“The referee was only four or five yards from it he cannot use a covering defender as an excuse. Michael was clean through. With Michael’s pace he is going to get away from him.”
