Romelu Lukaku was accused of acting “like a second-row rugby player” as he tried to get to Manchester City’s players during the extraordinary tunnel bust-up at Old Trafford after Sunday’s Manchester derby that prompted both clubs and the Football Association to launch investigations yesterday.

The United striker rushed towards the City dressing room to back up his manager, Jose Mourinho, as ugly scenes broke out between the rival clubs after City’s 2-1 victory moved the Premier League leaders 11 points clear at the top of the table.

United and City are conducting internal inquiries and have been given until 6pm on Wednesday to provide to the FA their accounts of what happened before the governing body decides whether there is sufficient evidence to pursue charges against individuals and/or the clubs. It also emerged that:

A member of United’s staff was covered in milk after a one-pint carton was thrown towards Mourinho only to miss the Portuguese and explode against a wall.

Mourinho allegedly told City’s Brazilian goalkeeper, Ederson, in English to “show some f------ respect” after the pair had initially hurled insults at each other in Portuguese.

City captain Vincent Kompany, Lukaku’s Belgium team-mate, was among a number of people who had to be restrained in the 15-man melee amid widespread pushing and shoving.

Mikel Arteta, one of City manager Pep Guardiola’s assistants, suffered a cut to the head after being knocked against a wall or door in the skirmishes.

Greater Manchester Police have not launched an investigation into the matter and will only do so if a formal complaint is lodged. One of their officers was stationed in the tunnel area and forced to intervene to help stewards deal with the fracas, although it is understood that he did not witness anything that he felt constituted criminal behaviour.