Ferguson: Arsenal players' behaviour was 'terrible'

Alex Ferguson has called for the Football Association to launch an investigation into the “terrible” way that a posse of Arsenal players harassed Ruud van Nistelrooy at Old Trafford.

Van Nistelrooy had angered the Arsenal contingent for his part in Patrick Vieira’s red card with 10 minutes left.

When the Dutchman then missed a last-gasp penalty, he was surrounded by Arsenal players celebrating right in his face, with Martin Keown appearing to push him at one point.

When the match ended soon afterwards, van Nistelrooy was again converged upon by several angry opponents as tempers boiled over even further.

The FA will have to wait for the reports from the referee, Steve Bennett, and the fourth official, Neale Barry, but they are almost certain to launch an investigation.

Ferguson declared: “I really think that was terrible behaviour at the end. I think the FA will look into it.

“Great credit to Ruud for the way he came off the pitch but you don’t want to see that kind of behaviour. I think it is beyond the pale.

“Everyone in the country will be disappointed to see that kind of behaviour. After all, these are the best two teams in the country.

“Chelsea may now be having a great go and could even win the league. But over the past few seasons, Arsenal and Manchester United have been the vanguard of our country, so you would expect better.”

Keown, who has previously clashed with van Nistelrooy, could therefore find himself at the centre of another inquiry, although he was by no means alone in letting himself down by over-reacting.

Indeed, his actions also follow the video investigation that has led to Sol Campbell being charged after the Community Shield clash between the two teams only last month.

However, Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger insisted: “If you want to convince

me that Martin Keown is a devil and van Nistelrooy is an angel then you will have a big problem.

“Van Nistelrooy is quite provocative and I would say that every Arsenal player would confirm that.

“Of course, you cannot be unhappy when your opponent doesn’t score a goal, but their attitude was not linked to the penalty. It was more linked to his overall attitude during the game.”

The shameful late scenes, with Quinton Fortune also seeming to clash with Jens Lehmann and Ashley Cole apparently involved in a fracas with Cristiano Ronaldo, entirely overshadowed the rest of the game.

For 80 minutes, Arsenal had emerged with considerable credit for the way in which they restored their pride following their 3-0 midweek defeat by Inter Milan.

They sensibly tempered their attacking instincts and United came closest to scoring when a Ryan Giggs free-kick flashed across the penalty area and struck the outside of the far post.

While Lehmann also denied van Nistelrooy from a tight angle, Cole produced his best display for several months, while Kolo Toure rose to the occasion alongside Keown in Campbell’s absence.

United may have dominated possession, with Ronaldo especially dangerous in flashes, while Roy Keane was a towering influence in central midfield.

However, Ferguson told MUTV: “Arsenal were very cautious but we didn’t convert our chances. I think we played the better football but it is a big point for Arsenal.”

Wenger, meanwhile, preferred to reflect on the way that his side had done themselves proud for 80 minutes rather than let themselves down thereafter.

“I am here to speak about the way we played and the great spirit we have shown. That was fantastic after the knock-down on Wednesday,” he insisted.

“We showed a lot of character to get something out of the game. The players were so determined as you don’t want to get into a crisis of confidence.”

Wenger was still unhappy at the penalty awarded by referee Bennett, who sent off Francis Jeffers in the Community Shield clash between the two teams only last month, after Diego Forlan went tumbling.

“Martin Keown said he went for the ball. They both went for it and I think it is a harsh decision which provoked a lot of incidents,” he insisted.

“Diving is not confined to one club but all 20. I agree that we all have to fight against it, but they have some work to do here, like everyone else.”