SOCCER: Arsene Wenger's anger and disappointment seem barely to have subsided since Sunday night. The Arsenal manager was never likely to throw food around yesterday as he reflected on defeat at Old Trafford, but he strongly criticised Manchester United's approach and Ruud van Nistelrooy's behaviour.

Wenger accused United of indulging in such "physical intimidation" and underhand moments that the game was not played in the right spirit.

Van Nistelrooy was singled out for most criticism. The striker yesterday apologised for his tackle on Ashley Cole and has begun a three-game suspension after choosing not to contest an English Football Association charge of serious foul play. Yet the matter will hardly be forgotten by Wenger.

"He's big enough a player to just play football," Wenger said. "There was another occasion in the second half, if you look at it again, when he steps on (Jens) Lehmann and it's on purpose. He does it always like he's innocent. Play football, my friend, and forget about all the rest. Who do you want to impress by doing that?"

Wenger effectively stood by his post-match comment, though, that Van Nistelrooy cheats. He has been asked by the FA to explain that claim and remarks about the referee, Mike Riley, and stated yesterday: "I don't think I have said anything wrong."

The manager also accused United of kicking Jose Antonio Reyes off the pitch and noted that Wayne Rooney was "not touched" for the penalty.

"I love football, I respect Manchester United and I respect the referees, and I don't have any malicious ideas before games," Wenger said. "But I just feel that on the day Man United did not play with the spirit I like football to be played."

To dampen accusations of sour grapes at Arsenal's first league defeat in 50 games, Wenger said: "In the eight years I am here I have lost against some great Man United sides and I just said: 'Listen, they are a fantastic football side.' On Sunday I cannot say that, it's as simple as that."

He has no regrets over his comments about Riley. He said a remark about feeling "robbed" was general and that he was correct to say Riley did what he usually does in awarding United a penalty because history shows that.

He added that Riley had lacked the needed "authority".

Wenger was less effusive on what happened in the tunnel.

"Nothing happened after the game," he insisted. "Nothing at all."

Asked why Ferguson had changed his shirt, he said: "Why should I know what happened to Alex Ferguson's shirt? Ferguson should know and he should say so."

Meanwhile, Van Nistelrooy began the first suspension of his Manchester United career last night after pleading guilty to the charge of serious foul play levelled against him by the English FA following his crude tackle on Cole.

Under the FA's new fast-track disciplinary process, the striker will also miss Saturday's trip to Portsmouth and the November 7th Manchester derby as a result of the challenge BBC pundit Alan Hansen labelled "a disgrace".

Van Nistelrooy maintains the incident was not premeditated but TV replays looked bad, prompting the apology to Cole which accompanied a vehement defence of his disciplinary record.

"There was no deliberate intent to harm Ashley Cole and I would like to take this opportunity to apologise to him," said Van Nistelrooy.

"Throughout my 10-year career I believe my disciplinary record is very good, not only for Manchester United but at all my previous clubs.

"I accept the charge made by the FA and I take full responsibility for this incident."

But Van Nistelrooy did not win him too much sympathy at Highbury and Wenger's latest comments will not do much to ease the tension between England's two biggest clubs.

The striker was already public enemy number one among the Gunners' players and supporters for his role in getting Patrick Vieira dismissed on Arsenal's previous Premiership visit to Old Trafford 13 months ago.

On that occasion, the 28-year-old was mobbed by angry visiting players after missing a last-gasp penalty.

This season, Van Nistelrooy did not miss - either Cole or the net after he was offered a chance to redeem himself for his previous spot-kick blunder.