Van Nistelrooy first in the dock

RUUD VAN NISTELROOY is set to become the first victim of the ‘Battle of Old Trafford II’ but probably not the last after the FA launched an investigation into Sunday’s ‘soupgate scandal’.

Under the FA’s speeded up disciplinary process, the prolific Dutch striker has until this evening to notify Soho Square whether he intends to contest the charge of serious foul play levelled against him following his woeful challenge on Ashley Cole during the first half of Manchester United’s 2-0 win over Arsenal.

Either way, van Nistelrooy will then face a disciplinary hearing on Thursday when, unless he can prove his innocence, he will receive a three-match ban, ruling him out of Saturday’s Premiership encounter with Portsmouth, the following weekend’s Manchester derby and either a fourth round Carling Cup tie or the November 14 trip to Newcastle, depending on whether United win tomorrow’s cup clash at Crewe.

While that case should be relatively straightforward given the widespread condemnation of van Nistelrooy’s challenge, which BBC TV pundit Alan Hansen labelled ‘a disgrace’, the FA may face a tougher test trying to establish what happened after the game. Details of the tunnel bust-up are slowly emerging but it has been established beyond doubt that Alex Ferguson had soup thrown at him by a so far unidentified member of the Arsenal squad.

In addition, Arsenal equipment manager Paul Johnson was accidentally struck in the face and suffered a nose bleed, while in the melee it is understood a member of United’s security staff was hit across the top of his head as he attempted to calm tensions.

United have refused to comment on the incident, following the lead set by chief executive David Gill, who flatly declined to answer when quizzed about the fracas, and have appeared uninterested in taking the matter further.

Whether that position is sustainable remains to be seen particularly as, having apparently been the aggressors, Arsenal appear to be attempting to shift some of the blame onto the Red Devils, whose manager reportedly told Arsene Wenger to get control of his players following his drenching, which required a change of clothes before he could conduct post-match TV interviews.

The Gunners’ players were clearly angry and frustrated at the final whistle yesterday, with Sol Campbell pointedly refusing to shake Wayne Rooney’s hand after the game.

Campbell accused Rooney of diving to win the penalty from which van Nistelrooy put United in front and angrily challenged referee Mike Riley once the game was over.

Van Nistelrooy was publicly condemned by Wenger for his tackle on Cole, ill-feeling clearly still lingering from the corresponding fixture last season, when Arsenal claimed the Dutchman had dived to get Patrick Vieira sent off and ended with the striker being jostled by five Arsenal players after he had missed a last minute penalty.

Wenger has now been formally asked to explain his post-match claim that the Highbury outfit “know how Ruud van Nistelrooy behaves. He can only cheat people, we know him very well”, as well as his open slating of Riley’s performance.

The French coach cited a list of errors by the Leeds referee which included his failure to dismiss man of the match Rio Ferdinand for his challenge on Freddie Ljungberg and his refusal to clamp down on United’s over-aggressive tactics, as well as the penalty award and van Nistelrooy’s lunge on Cole.

It was the cheat claims that are believed to have fuelled the tunnel dispute - something Wenger denied had happened - as Arsenal’s disgruntled players attempted to come to terms with the loss of their unbeaten run.

Arsenal midfielder, Edu, told South American journalists yesterday that United have too many “malicious” players. “Reyes was being kicked all over the park, they were beating up the boy. And Gary Neville was tackling in such a way that he should have been sent off.”

Of the tunnel bust-up, he added: “I saw people being pulled apart, people pushing, pointing and shouting. The United players were shouting at us and trying to wind us up about the result. I didn’t see any soup being thrown at anyone.”

Arsenal captain Patrick Vieira has vowed the Gunners will become a stronger team after seeing their unbeaten league record end.

“The penalty decision changed the game. We were defending well and we felt comfortable because they were not creating chances.

“We were happy with the way the game was going on. In the dressing room after the game we knew we did not deserve to lose. We know the referee’s decision changed the game.”

Arsenal are two points clear of second-placed Chelsea but have a significant lead over United, who are fifth.