Police are investigating reports that the former Manchester United manager David Moyes assaulted a man in a wine bar in Lancashire during an evening out with friends.

Moyes, 51, who was sacked by United last month with four games to go before the end of his first season in charge, is understood to have got involved in an argument with a man in his early 20s late on Wednesday evening.



A glass was either smashed or fell off a table and police were called. The ­incident is believed to have taken place when Moyes and his companions went to the Emporium bar in Clitheroe for a drink after dining at Piccolino, a nearby restaurant.



Police said there had been an incident outside the Emporium, which was under investigation. Two police cars stopped at the scene and officers spoke to the parties involved. Officers would now examine CCTV footage and speak to other people who were at the bar at the time, before deciding whether to take any further action.



The Moor Lane bar, in the fashionable centre of Clitheroe, bills itself as “half coffee shop, wine bar and brasserie; half interior design superstore”, offering “an unique, intoxicating lifestyle experience”.



It adds: “Our descriptions are in plain English and reassuringly free of pretentious waffle. We hope there is something for everyone on the wine list. Some of the selections are a little obscure but they certainly reward the adventurous with their quality and value.”



A spokesman for the bar confirmed an incident took place outside the venue on Wednesday night. “However, it did not affect any of the customers or staff, and has been dealt with by the police,” he said.



In a statement, Lancashire police said: “Police are investigating a report of an assault at the Emporium wine bar in Clitheroe. Officers attended the bar at about 10pm on Wednesday and it was reported that a 23-year-old local man had been assaulted by a 51-year-old man. He did not require hospital treatment.



“Inquiries are ongoing and we are speaking to a number of people to try to establish the circumstances. There are a number of differing accounts, which we need to work through to try to establish exactly what has happened. No one has been arrested at this stage.”



A witness confirmed that Moyes had been dining in Piccolino with two friends. “I was having a meal with one of my own friends. It was a really nice evening so we started off outside. We saw David Moyes arrive with his friends at around 8pm. He seemed really relaxed and casual. We thought nothing of it.



“The three of them left at about 10pm and went across to the Emporium. My friend went outside to take a phone call, and it all happened then.”



Moyes was dismissed by Manchester United last month following a relatively poor season after replacing Sir Alex Ferguson on his retirement.



Moyes was among several names to be linked on Thursday with the vacant Celtic ­managerial position after Neil Lennon stepped down as boss of the Scottish champions.