Arsenal stars 'go berserk'

Arsenal accused United of cheating after Wayne Rooney appeared to dive in the area to win a penalty.

A witness in the tunnel said the Arsenal players "went berserk" as they walked off at full-time.

During the fracas Arsenal equipment manager Paul Johnson was accidentally struck and suffered a nose bleed.

Ferguson was then hit by the soup as he walked past to give a television interview.

Another witness said: "The Arsenal players were enraged by what happened on the pitch and, after an exchange, suddenly a cup of soup went flying in Ferguson's direction.

"There was so much pushing and shoving that you just couldn't tell who had thrown it."

Ferguson wiped soup from his hair and face and changed out of his stained shirt and jacket into a tracksuit before appearing in front of the cameras.

He appeared calm during his interview and did not mention the incident.

Sol Campbell, whose tackle gave away the penalty, refused to shake England team-mate Rooney's hand at the end of the game.

Arsenal players were finally bundled into their dressing room by coaching staff. They were apparently told to get changed and leave Old Trafford as quickly as possible.

Wenger did not comment on the fracas but revealed that his players left the pitch feeling aggrieved. "They have deep feeling of injustice," he told Arsenal's website.

"They are really frustrated. I am convinced what happened will make us stronger and more determined."

United officials were said to be stunned at the way Arsenal players had treated Ferguson.

The Football Association was today examining the referee's report of the match, although it is not known to what extent it deals with the behaviour of players in the tunnel after the final whistle.

The FA's next step may be to interview a number of club officials and players, including Ferguson, about the various allegations arising out of the fracas. The FA may be forced to order both teams to ensure that no such post-match incidents take place again.

Manchester United today refused to make any comment or confirm whether they would be complaining to the FA about Arsenal's behaviour.