No. He wanted to make a point and did. He was in his rights to do so.
// I don't believe that there is much racism in English football. //
Both the Suarez and Terry cases found racism by fellow players. There is still verbal racism from the terraces. And yes, the BBC do censor obscenities from crowd noise.
I think he assumed the players would have no reason not to wear the shirt, but had not consulted any players. In the end it was or should be a personal choice.
Fergie was perhaps embarrassed because Lord Ouseley who is Chief Exec of the Kick it Out campaign and is also an Old Trafford Grandee as Managing Director of the Manchester United Foundation.