• Keith Hackett to apologise for decision to dismiss Wenger • Lee Probert totally failed to manage the situation, says Bevan

Arsenal's manager Arsène Wenger can expect an apology from the Premier League referees chief, Keith Hackett, following his dismissal amid farcical scenes during the closing seconds of the Gunners' 2–1 defeat to Manchester United.

The League Managers Association chief executive, Richard Bevan, has spoken to Hackett about the incident which saw Wenger sent to the stands by the referee Mike Dean on the advice of his fourth official, Lee Probert. He has been told that Wenger will receive an apology from the Professional Game Match Officials Board, which appoints officials to top-flight games in England.

"Although [the decision was] correct in law, it was completely out of context in the game and it was followed by the nonsense which followed over where Wenger should sit," said Bevan.

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

The Arsenal manager caught Probert's attention when he kicked an empty water bottle down the touchline following a last-minute equaliser that was disallowed for the visitors.

There was then confusion as Wenger seemed unaware of where he was supposed to go – moving first to the back of the Arsenal dugout then starting to walk down the touchline as the whistle was blown.