Man Utd boss Ferguson went "ballistic" at senior stars

Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson steamed into his senior players after last week's Christmas party fiasco, it has been revealed.

Ferguson gathered senior professionals Ryan Giggs, Rio Ferdinand, Gary Neville and Paul Scholes and read them the riot act for their role in arranging the festive fun which spiralled out of control at the Great John Street Hotel the day after their 1-0 win at Liverpool.

The bash ended with the arrest of 19-year-old Northern Ireland defender Jonny Evans, who has been bailed following an allegation of rape, which the player denies.

Although Evans was the only star arrested it's understood Ferguson has pinned the blame for the alleged lurid incidents on the experienced senior professionals in the squad.

A club insider told the People: "The manager went ballistic when he found out the extent of what had gone on. He knew the players were having a night on the town but there's a strict code of discipline laid down and he believes it was broken.

"He gave the senior pros a real hammering and has held them responsible for what happened. To say he wasn't happy is an understatement.

"You can be sure something like this won't happen again and you can bet the players party will be a low key affair next year - if he lets them have one."