The fall-out from the Manchester United Christmas party is a "club matter" and will be dealt with in house, Sir Alex Ferguson said today, as more sordid allegations about the party, at which a woman claimed she was raped, continued to emerge.

Asked about the party this morning, Sir Alex, the United manager, said: “I have nothing to say about the events of the week. Why would I say anything?

“I have been dealing with situations like this for 21 years - and I know exactly what we do.

“I will not be guided or instructed by anyone. It is a club matter, and we will carry on the way we have always done.”

Sir Alex is believed to have given his reluctant blessing to the party, which began around lunchtime on Monday at the Manchester 235 Casino and ended at 4.15am on Tuesday at the Great John Street Hotel, when police received a 999 call from a man claiming that his 26 year-old girlfriend had been raped in one of the bedrooms.

The Manchester United defender Jonny Evans turned himself in for questioning later that day. He was arrested and released on bail until February.

The team had booked out the entire 30-room four-star hotel for their gathering. They told their wives and girlfriends to stay away and invited 100 "hand-picked" women instead. Guests have described the party as "sleazy", "out of control", a "pulling joint", and a “drinking, lap-dancing and gambling marathon”.

The Sun newspaper reported claims today that a drunken 19 year-old woman had group sex with five or six men at the party, including three Manchester United players. Afterwards, she is reported to have said: "They said I was a great shag."

Sir Alex is said to be furious at the scandal, not least because none of his players turned up to Manchester United's official Christmas party held on the same day.

Evans, 19, has strenuously denied the allegation of rape and his girlfriend, Kate Wathall, a 20 year-old university student, has vowed to stand by him.

She said: “I trust him, I know him, and I feel so hurt and sorry for everything he is suffering right now.

“He has told me he was dancing with this woman in front of everyone else, and that nothing more sinister than that happened.

“I believe it simply never happened. It never took place, and should never have gone this far.

“This is such a traumatic time, but when you know someone closely, you are aware of what they are capable of doing.

“I know Jon well, and am totally convinced his name will be cleared of all these terrible allegations against him.”

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