Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger claims Manchester United tried to kick Arsenal out of their stride by playing "anti-football" in Saturday's 2-1 victory over the Gunners.

Wenger was infuriated by the way United set out to disrupt Arsenal's smooth passing game by flying into tackles with aggressive intent.

Although Arsenal collected six bookings and United were only shown three yellow cards, Wenger hinted that the champions' approach was a stark contrast to his own purist principles.

The French coach seemed to be particularly angered by United midfielder Darren Fletcher's challenges but stopped short of accusing the Scot by name.

"I have seen a player who plays on the pitch only to make fouls," he said. "For me, this is a point that is more urgent than diving.

"The players who are never punished, who get out of the game without a yellow card. I think it is more anti-football than a player who did what Eduardo did.

"Look at how many deliberate fouls some players get away with. That's a bigger problem because it cuts the flow of the game. And people pay to see football, not free-kicks."

Asked if he was referring to Fletcher, Wenger just laughed and said: "Why do you say the name?"

Fletcher insisted he had done nothing wrong and was just playing his normal game.

"I enjoyed the challenge of going up against Arsenal in a big game," he told the Sun yesterday.

"I did what I normally do - made some tackles, got about the opposition, no different to any other game."

Wenger is also set to receive an apology from Premier League referees chief Keith Hackett following his dismissal in Saturday's 2-1 defeat to Manchester United.

League Managers Association chief executive Richard Bevan has spoken to Hackett about the Old Trafford incident which saw Wenger sent to the stands by referee Mike Dean on the advice of fourth official Lee Probert.

And he has been told that Wenger will receive an apology from the Premier Game Match Officials Board which appoints officials to top-flight games in England.

The Gunners' boss caught Probert's attention when he kicked an empty water bottle down the touchline following a disallowed goal for Arsenal in the final minutes.

On the decision to penalize Wenger, Bevan said: "Although correct in 'law', it was completely out of context in the game and it was followed by the nonsense which followed over where Arsene Wenger should sit.

"I've spoken to Keith Hackett and he fully recognises the situation was an error and an apology will follow to Arsene Wenger.

"Lee Probert totally failed to manage the situation and created a needless pressure point taking the focus away from the pitch in a big event with only a minute to go."

(AFP via China Daily September 1, 2009)