Fergie will 'curb' behaviour

Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson has vowed to be more restrained in a bid to stay out of trouble.

Ferguson was sent off 24 minutes into yesterday’s 2-1 win over Newcastle St James’ Park after reacting angrily to referee Uriah Rennie’s decision not to penalise Andy O’Brien for a tackle on Ryan Giggs.

As last man, Republic of Ireland international O’Brien would have had to be given his marching orders, but Rennie gave him the benefit of the doubt and found himself on the wrong end of the famous Fergie hairdryer.

However, Ferguson told the News Of The World: “I am aware that the fourth official has been given stricter guidelines this season.

“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 watched the remainder of the game from opposite number Bobby Robson’s office as goals from Ruud van Nistelrooy and Paul Scholes gave United victory.

Ferguson added: “I watched the game from Bobby Robson’s office and it was a good vantage point. I gave my orders to Tony Coton and he was running up and down the tunnel delivering them to the bench.”