Players told to keep their cool

Arsenal and Manchester United players have been warned by police about their behaviour during Sunday’s Premiership game at Old Trafford.

Last year’s 0-0 draw was marred by ugly scenes as Arsenal players surrounded Ruud van Nistelrooy after he missed a late penalty.

The Gunners and their players were fined a total of £275,000 by the Football Association and Patrick Vieira received a one-match suspension after being sent off for kicking out at van Nistelrooy.

Lauren was also banned for four matches, Martin Keown for three and Ray Parlour for one as a result of the incident.

Now the police have insisted such scenes cannot be repeated and a spokesman for the police operation at Old Trafford, Ian Aspey, will be advising referee Mike Riley before the game.

Aspey told the London Evening Standard: “The referee will be visited by police before the game on Sunday to confirm the players know this can be a volatile fixture.

“We are sure the managers will be expressing that to them anyway.”