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Ferguson slams shocking United

Author: Brandon Barker
Date: 05/01/2010
Football betting

Sir Alex Ferguson has promised changes to his Manchester United line-up following what he described as a 'shocking' FA Cup defeat to Leeds United.

United's first third-round defeat of Ferguson's lengthy managerial reign and a first to a lower league club since Bournemouth in 1984 left the veteran Scot fuming.

Jermaine Beckford's first-half goal left Old Trafford stunned and Ferguson has promised changes for the first leg of the Carling Cup semi-final against Manchester City on Wednesday.

"We have a semi-final on Wednesday night and a lot of these players won't be playing," he fumed.

"Leeds had far bigger appetite than us. We didn't start right, Leeds got their goal and it was something to hold onto."

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Meanwhile, Defender Andre Bikey has admitted that manager Owen Coyle is key to Burnley's continued success amid ongoing speculation about his Turf Moor future.

Coyle is believed to be Bolton's preferred candidate to replace the sacked Gary Megson in the Reebok Stadium hot-seat.

The former Bolton striker has pledged his future to the Clarets but the speculation surrounding his future refuses to go away.

Seamer James Anderson claimed online betting favourites England could be reasonably proud of their efforts after the first day of the third Test against South Africa.

After England won the toss and opted to field, the hosts reached 279-6 when bad light brought a halt to proceedings at Newlands.

An unbeaten century from Jacques Kallis (108 not out) ensured that the Proteas survived a wobble in the morning to end the day in a relatively strong position.

"We bowled reasonably well and I think it's even stevens at this stage," said Anderson after a personal haul of 2-62.

In rugby union, the head of elite referee development in England, Ed Morrison, has defended the standard of officiating in the Guinness Premiership.

The weekend programme of games was dominated by rows of refereeing decisions, with Saracens director of rugby Brendan Venter particularly vehement in his criticism.

However, Morrison responded by saying: "The breakdown is a very competitive area and the more competitive it gets, the more complex it gets.

"When you look in the Premiership and how difficult a contest it is, the guys do a very good job in a highly-pressurised environment."

Elsewhere, Robert Kubica will drive for Renault in Formula One this season, according to his manager.

The 25-year-old Pole was left without a drive for 2010 after BMW pulled out of the sport at the end of the last season.

However, after the future of the Renault team was safeguarded following a deal with a Swiss-based investment company, Kubica has been offered a route back onto the grid.

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