Manchester United and Manchester City given extra time to provide observations of their derby-day fracas

  • Manchester City and Manchester United clashed after the derby on Sunday 
  • Around 30 players and staff were embroiled in a brawl following the final whistle
  • The fight ignited after Manchester United boss Jose Mourinho was hit by a bottle
  • Punches were thrown and Romelu Lukaku was accused of chucking a bottle
  • The FA have given both clubs extra time to provide their account of what went on

The FA have given both Manchester clubs a further two days to submit their observations from the Old Trafford derby bust-up as part of an investigation into the incident.

United and City had until Wednesday night to file their reports, but the deadline has been put back until 6pm on Friday.

The FA were mindful that both clubs were in action on Wednesday, with United at home to Bournemouth and City playing away at Swansea. 


Around 30 players and staff were embroiled in a brawl after the Manchester derby on Sunday 

Around 30 players and staff were embroiled in a brawl after the Manchester derby on Sunday 

Whereas the FA fast-tracks disciplinary proceedings involving individual players to make sure they are punished as soon as possible and cannot play in additional games, they accept that United and City have nothing to gain by being granted a two-day extension. 

The FA said in a statement: 'Manchester United and Manchester City have both been given extra time to provide their observations following reports of an incident after Sunday's game. 

'They now have until 6pm on Friday 15 December.'

Up to 30 players and staff from both clubs clashed in the dressing-room area after City’s 2-1 win at Old Trafford on Sunday with bottles and punches thrown.

United manager Jose Mourinho was hit on the head by an empty plastic bottle after clashing with City goalkeeper Ederson, and one of his staff members showered in milk when a carton was also thrown at him.

City coach Mikel Arteta needed four butterfly stitches in a cut on his forehead after he was injured in the melee.  

United's players believed City 'rubbed their noses in defeat' by 'whooping and cheering'

United's players believed City 'rubbed their noses in defeat' by 'whooping and cheering'

The City squad celebrated wildly in the tunnel after their 2-1 victory at the home of their rivals

The City squad celebrated wildly in the tunnel after their 2-1 victory at the home of their rivals

United boss Mourinho stood his ground when pressed on the matter at the media conference ahead of Wednesday night's Premier League match against Bournemouth.

The Portuguese coach said Manchester City had showed how different they are to his players.

However, rival boss Pep Guardiola remains convinced his City stars have nothing to say sorry about, having offered an apology which seemed aimed to appease rather than accept any fault.

Mourinho said on Tuesday: 'The only thing I can say is that for me it was just a question of diversity - diversity in behaviours, diversity in education. Just that and nothing more than that.

'The diversity of behaviour, of opinion, of education.'

He added: 'You know, what we did in the Arsenal stadium [after winning 3-1 their earlier this month] it was completely diverse.

'What we did, what happened after that match, the way we behaved as winners... but no problem.'

The Manchester United manager deflected most of the questions about the derby bust-up

Mourinho wanted to look ahead to Wednesday's match against Bournemouth and was frustrated the derby remained the main talking point.

When asked about possible FA punishment, Mourinho said: 'May punish who? Why?'

Mourinho gave short shrift to another reporter bringing up claims that Romelu Lukaku had thrown a bottle in the skirmish, and said: 'Show evidence and punish him.'

When that was followed up with a question about whether he was confident his players behaved appropriately after the game, Mourinho said: 'I know. I am not confident, I know.' 

Guardiola was adamant his players were well within their rights to try to enjoy their victory in their dressing room, but said he would be prepared to apologise if United considered the celebrations excessive.

Pep Guardiola insisted there was 'nothing exceptional' about his side's derby celebrations

Pep Guardiola insisted there was 'nothing exceptional' about his side's derby celebrations

Guardiola said ahead of Wednesday's trip to Swansea: 'Sometimes Manchester United made a lot, in the past, celebrations over City. It is part of everything.

'But if we were not correct, or something like that, then I apologise to all of Manchester United. Our intentions were not that.

'Our intentions were to celebrate, inside the locker room, our happiness because we were happy. If the people cannot understand that then I'm sorry.

'We were so happy, we won a derby. If in that way we offended United - not just one player, not (just) Jose - then I apologise. We have huge respect for our opponents - not just Manchester United, all the opponents.' 

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