A man has been arrested over allegations of racist abuse directed at players in the match on Saturday between Manchester City and Manchester United.

Greater Manchester Police ​said it was questioning a 41-year-old man who was arrested after being seen on camera at City’s Etihad Stadium appearing to racially abuse United players by imitating a monkey during the away side’s 2-1 victory. He remained in custody on Sunday evening.

A Football Association spokesperson had previously announced it would also be investigating the matter.

United reported the incident to City and referee Anthony Taylor, with more than one of their players feeling they had suffered racist abuse.

Video footage also showed missiles being thrown, with the United midfielder Fred appearing to be hit on the back of the head by an object hurled from the crowd as the visitors prepared to take a corner.

United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer said: “Fred and Jesse [Lingard] were in the corner, taking a corner, and I’ve seen the video, heard from the boys.”

Fred said the alleged incident at the Etihad showed “we are still in a backward society”.

He told ESPN Brazil: ​“Unfortunately, this is happening in some stadiums. It happened here, it happened in Ukraine with some friends. It’s sad, but we have to keep our heads up and forget about that. We can’t give them any attention because that’s all they want. I spoke to the referee after the match, they will do something about it and that’s all.

“We are all the same regardless of skin colour, hair and gender. We came from the same place and we all go to the same place when it’s all said and done. Thank God I have a lot of friends here in the locker room who hugged me, like Lingard. I don’t want to think about it. I just want to move on.”

Manchester City said in a statement they were aware of the video and were working with police to identify any individuals who may be involved.

It said: “The club operates a zero tolerance policy regarding discrimination of any kind, and anyone found guilty of racial abuse will be banned from the club for life.”

Ratings: City vs United Show all 25 1 /25 Ratings: City vs United Ratings: City vs United Ratings: City vs United MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 07: Players of Manchester City and Manchester United wait in the tunnel prior to the Premier League match between Manchester City and Manchester United at Etihad Stadium on December 07, 2019 in Manchester, United Kingdom. (Photo by Victoria Haydn/Manchester City FC via Getty Images) Victoria Haydn Manchester City FC via Getty Ima Ratings: City vs United Manchester City Manchester City's Spanish midfielder Rodri (2L) and Manchester City's Brazilian midfielder Fernandinho (2R) remonstrate with referee Anthony Taylor (C) as Manchester City's Belgian midfielder Kevin De Bruyne (R) reacts over a penalty appeal during the English Premier League football match between Manchester City and Manchester United at the Etihad Stadium in Manchester, north west England, on December 7, 2019. (Photo by Oli SCARFF / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. / (Photo by OLI SCARFF/AFP via Getty Images) OLI SCARFF AFP via Getty Images Ratings: City vs United Ederson - 5 Soccer Football - Premier League - Manchester City v - Etihad Stadium, Manchester, Britain - December 7, 2019 Manchester City's Ederson reacts after Manchester United's Anthony Martial scores their second goal REUTERS/Phil Noble EDITORIAL USE ONLY. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or "live" services. Online in-match use limited to 75 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications. Please contact your account representative for further details. PHIL NOBLE REUTERS Ratings: City vs United Kyle Walker - 5 MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 07: Kyle Walker of Manchester City crosses the ball during the Premier League match between Manchester City and Manchester United at Etihad Stadium on December 07, 2019 in Manchester, United Kingdom. (Photo by Chloe Knott - Danehouse/Getty Images) Chloe Knott - Danehouse Getty Images Ratings: City vs United John Stones - 5 MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 07: John Stones of Manchester City looks dejected following Manchester United's second goal during the Premier League match between Manchester City and Manchester United at Etihad Stadium on December 07, 2019 in Manchester, United Kingdom. (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images) Michael Regan Getty Images Ratings: City vs United Fernandinho - 6 Manchester City's Fernandinho, left, discusses with referee Anthony Taylor during the English Premier League soccer match between Manchester City and Manchester United at Etihad stadium in Manchester, England, Saturday, Dec. 7, 2019. (AP Photo/Rui Vieira) Rui Vieira AP Ratings: City vs United Angelino - 4 MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 07: Scott Mctominay of Manchester United and Angelino of Manchester City in action during the Premier League match between Manchester City and Manchester United at Etihad Stadium on December 07, 2019 in Manchester, United Kingdom. (Photo by Chloe Knott - Danehouse/Getty Images) Chloe Knott - Danehouse Getty Images Ratings: City vs United Kevin De Bruyne - 6 Manchester City's Belgian midfielder Kevin De Bruyne heads the ball during the English Premier League football match between Manchester City and Manchester United at the Etihad Stadium in Manchester, north west England, on December 7, 2019. (Photo by Oli SCARFF / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. / (Photo by OLI SCARFF/AFP via Getty Images) OLI SCARFF AFP via Getty Images Ratings: City vs United Rodri - 4 MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 07: Jesse Lingard of Manchester United and Rodri of Manchester City during the Premier League match between Manchester City and Manchester United at Etihad Stadium on December 7, 2019 in Manchester, United Kingdom. (Photo by Matthew Ashton - AMA/Getty Images) Matthew Ashton - AMA Getty Images Ratings: City vs United David Silva - 4 Soccer Football - Premier League - Manchester City v Manchester United - Etihad Stadium, Manchester, Britain - December 7, 2019 Manchester City's David Silva reacts REUTERS/Phil Noble EDITORIAL USE ONLY. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or "live" services. Online in-match use limited to 75 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications. Please contact your account representative for further details. PHIL NOBLE REUTERS Ratings: City vs United Bernardo Silva - 5 epa08052508 Manchester City's Bernardo Silva reacts during the English Premier League soccer match between Manchester United and Manchester City held at the Etihad Stadium, Manchester, Britain 07 December 2019. EPA/PETER POWELL EDITORIAL USE ONLY. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications PETER POWELL EPA Ratings: City vs United Gabriel Jesus - 4 MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 07: Gabriel Jesus of Manchester City controls the ball during the Premier League match between Manchester City and Manchester United at Etihad Stadium on December 07, 2019 in Manchester, United Kingdom. (Photo by Victoria Haydn/Manchester City FC via Getty Images) Victoria Haydn Manchester City FC via Getty Ima Ratings: City vs United Raheem Sterling - 6 MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 07: Raheem Sterling of Manchester City competes for a header with Anthony Martial of Manchester United during the Premier League match between Manchester City and Manchester United at Etihad Stadium on December 07, 2019 in Manchester, United Kingdom. (Photo by Matt McNulty - Manchester City/Manchester City FC via Getty Images) Matt McNulty - Manchester City Manchester City FC via Getty Ima Ratings: City vs United Manchester United MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 07: Manchester United's kit hangs in the dressing room ahead of the Premier League match between Manchester City and Manchester United at Etihad Stadium on December 07, 2019 in Manchester, United Kingdom. (Photo by Ash Donelon/Manchester United via Getty Images) Ash Donelon Manchester United via Getty Imag Ratings: City vs United David de Gea - 8 epa08052605 Manchester United's David de Gea reacts during the English Premier League soccer match between Manchester United and Manchester City held at the Etihad Stadium, Manchester, Britain 07 December 2019. EPA/PETER POWELL EDITORIAL USE ONLY. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications PETER POWELL EPA Ratings: City vs United Aaron Wan-Bissaka - 9 Man of the match. Getty Images Ratings: City vs United Victor Lindelof - 8 MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 07: Gabriel Jesus of Manchester City is challenged by Victor Lindelof of Manchester United during the Premier League match between Manchester City and Manchester United at Etihad Stadium on December 07, 2019 in Manchester, United Kingdom. (Photo by Matt McNulty - Manchester City/Manchester City FC via Getty Images) Matt McNulty - Manchester City Manchester City FC via Getty Ima Ratings: City vs United Harry Maguire - 7 Soccer Football - Premier League - Manchester City v Manchester United - Etihad Stadium, Manchester, Britain - December 7, 2019 Manchester United's Harry Maguire reacts REUTERS/Phil Noble EDITORIAL USE ONLY. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or "live" services. Online in-match use limited to 75 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications. 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(AP Photo/Rui Vieira) Rui Vieira AP Ratings: City vs United Anthony Martial - 8 MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 07: Anthony Martial of Manchester United during the Premier League match between Manchester City and Manchester United at Etihad Stadium on December 7, 2019 in Manchester, United Kingdom. (Photo by Matthew Ashton - AMA/Getty Images) Matthew Ashton - AMA Getty Images

The issue of racism in English football has hit the headlines again virtually a year to the day since City’s Raheem Sterling was subjected to racially abusive language and threatening and aggressive behaviour at Stamford Bridge that led to a Chelsea supporter being permanently banned.