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Last Updated: Sunday, 24 August, 2003, 10:54 GMT 11:54 UK
Ferguson vows to cool down
Sir Alex Ferguson is sent to the stands by referee Uriah Rennie
Ferguson was dismissed after 24 minutes
Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson has vowed to improve his behaviour after being sent off during his side's 2-1 win over Newcastle on Saturday.

Ferguson reacted angrily to referee Uriah Rennie's decision not to punish Andy O'Brien for bringing down Ryan Giggs on the edge of the Newcastle area.

The United manager kicked a ball away in disgust and remonstrated with fourth official Jeff Winter on the sidelines.

"I am aware that the fourth official has been given stricter guidelines this season," Ferguson told the News of the World.

"I suppose I will have to curb my behaviour in the future.

"I was really angry about the failure to penalise or red-card Andy O'Brien for the foul on Ryan Giggs and made my feelings known from the bench in a way that I have done many times in the past.

"It was a blatant decision and you expect those sort of decisions to be given. I showed my anger to the fourth official. That was why I was sent off."

Ferguson could still face a fine or touchline ban from the FA once the reports from Rennie and Winter are studied.

An FA spokesman said: "As with all weekend games, we will await the match officials reports before considering any possible disciplinary action."

Ferguson watched the remainder of the game from counterpart Sir Bobby Robson's office as goals from Ruud van Nistelrooy and Paul Scholes gave United victory after Newcastle had taken the lead through Alan Shearer.

"I watched the game from Sir Bobby Robson's office and it was a good vantage point," said Ferguson.

"I gave my orders to Tony Coton and he was running up and down the tunnel delivering them to the bench.

"I think we produced a great performance and when you go in down at half time you say (to the players), 'first of all make sure you take something from the game.

"The second is 'once you get there (with the equaliser) it is a matter of being patient'.

"We weren't concerned at half time but when you are 1-0 down at Newcastle you can never be sure because they are a formidable side and you have got your work cut out - but we got there.

"When we scored the equaliser I think they maybe got a bit nervous and there was a swing in momentum."






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