Ferguson stunned by Ferdinand appeal failure

BELEAGURED Manchester United boss Alex Ferguson has revealed there is a 'sense of shock' around Old Trafford at Rio Ferdinand's failed missed drugs test appeal.

Ferguson had been confident a three-man independent panel would cut Ferdinand's lengthy suspension in London on Thursday, rather than uphold it as they eventually did.

It means United's £29.3 million signing will be banned from the sport until September 20 unless he takes his case to the Court of Arbitration for Sport, a move which is looking increasingly unlikely.