Manchester United's feud with Arsenal will be reviewed by the English Football Association next week when Old Trafford officials submit a dossier to the organisers of the Premiership chronicling the events of last Sunday's controversial match.
United are furious over Arsene Wenger's persistent denials of a tunnel bust-up involving his players following the game, even though Alex Ferguson was forced to change clothes to conduct post-match television interviews after being splattered by pizza and food thrown from the visitors' dressing-room.
Wenger's allegations of foul play during the game have further enraged United, particularly his cheat jibe at Ruud van Nistelrooy in the wake of his horrendous challenge on Ashley Cole.
Having admitted a charge of serious foul play, Van Nistelrooy was given a three-match suspension. And, after acting in what they view as a responsible manner over the Dutchman's conduct, United are determined the striker will not be the only one punished.
The club are collating evidence from Sunday, having been asked to launch an investigation by the FA. When their findings are handed over to the governing body, it will also include a so-called "Tape of Tackles", which will highlight Arsenal indiscretions during the game and could lead to Gunners players suffering the same fate as Van Nistelrooy.
"I am very disappointed at the comments that have come out of the Arsenal camp," said Ferguson. "But we are doing our own thing. We have launched our own investigation into Arsenal.
"We are collating a lot of information and there are a lot of statements being made by witnesses, which we will be forwarding to the FA. Then we will let them get on with it."
Wenger yesterday again denied his players did anything wrong and went on to say he would welcome any move by United to present their findings to the FA.
"That's exactly what they should do. For me, nothing happened," he said. "We like to look forward, not backwards. What happened on the pitch is important for me and the way you behave on the pitch.
"Everybody can draw their own conclusion as to what happened on the pitch. I didn't see any pizza. You might be interested in England what happened in the tunnel, but I'm a football man and I look at how players behave on the pitch.
"What will the FA be looking for? It's not what happened in the tunnel, it is what happened on the pitch.
"What is important is the spirit of the game and the FA has to protect football. The FA can look into what they want, I don't mind. I am not worried at all, nothing happened."
While Ferguson and Wenger have been deeply critical of each other's teams at times, there has also been widespread suspicion in the United camp about the influence Gunners' vice-chairman David Dein wields at the FA.
Dein met United chief executive David Gill in Manchester on Wednesday in an attempt to diffuse the tension between the clubs. But while Gill has been anxious not to antagonise the Gunners, should the FA fail to act against Arsenal, mistrust of the governing body at Old Trafford will only increase
The clear implication from Ferguson is that Arsenal have not accepted their responsibility, which is why they are likely to demand action from the FA.
