Sir Alex Ferguson's son Darren was arrested for allegedly assaulting his estranged wife outside the Manchester United manager's mansion, it was disclosed today.

Darren Ferguson, 35, who is player-manager of Peterborough United, was held after an alleged row with 28-year-old Nadine Ferguson on the front drive of Sir Alex's £2 million house in Wilmslow, Cheshire.

It is not known whether Sir Alex was at home at the time of the incident on October 23.

A spokesman for Cheshire Police said today: "We were called to an address in Fletsands Road, Wilmslow in October after an allegation of assault.

"A 35-year-old man was arrested, questioned, and was released on bail until December 6 pending further enquiries."