Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson could drown his sorrows last night with a very expensive bottle of plonk - courtesy of conquerors Crystal Palace.

The Daily Mail says Ferguson received a superior bottle of red wine following last night's Carling Cup clash against Crystal Palace at Old Trafford.

The London club's co-owner Steve Browett, a wine merchant, gave manager Dougie Freedman a bottle of Chateau Latour from 1986 - Fergie's first year at United - worth a four-figure sum to present to him after the game.