Manchester United have received an apology from the FA following the publication of evidence from Patrice Evra's controversial disciplinary hearing, reports The Mirror. United were furious fullback Evra was punished, and angry the details were released before they even decided whether to appeal.

The FA branded defender Gary Neville, who was at the flare-up, "abusive" in a damning report into the incident.

Sir Alex Ferguson's No.2, Mike Phelan, was called an "unreliable" witness by the FA, who levelled the same charge at Evra's "exaggerated" version of events, effectively branding United liars.

United, who won't appeal Evra's four-game ban, welcomed the apology and declared the matter "closed".