Van Nistelrooy accepts FA charge

Ruud van Nistelrooy has apologised to Arsenal’s Ashley Cole for his Old Trafford tackle on Sunday, after confirming he will not contest a Football Association charge of serious foul play.

Manchester United have notified Soho Square that van Nistelrooy has admitted guilt over the incident, which occurred during the first half of United’s 2-0 victory and caused the ‘cheat’ jibe from Arsene Wenger thought to have sparked the ‘soupgate’ tunnel bust-up.