Player Ratings: Arsenal 1-3 Manchester United

Almunia - 4 - Culpable once again for an important goal conceded. Flapped Nani's cross into his own net. Nearly repeated the trick with a dreadful clearance in the second half. How much longer can he be allowed to get away with these mistakes?

Sagna - 6 - Kept Evra and Park quiet. Pushed forward to support Rosicky and almost set-up Fabregas for a drive in to the net before Nasri got in the way. Taken off for Bendtner.

Gallas - 5 - Brushed aside too many times for comfort by Rooney. Unable to exert enough physical pressure on United's star man to stop him retaining possession. Made one good tackle on Scholes.

Vermaelen - 6 - Importance of return from injury was clear to see. Had the guts and the engine to put his body on the line a number of times to deny United's attack. Stopped a goal-bound Nani shot on the line. Fortunate to see shot from edge of the box deflect in to United's net.

Clichy - 4 - Failed to stub out Nani. United's main source of inspiration ran rampant. Evidently still catching up after a lengthy spell on the sidelines.

Fabregas - 6.5 - Took advantage of Scholes' lack of pace before Sir Alex Ferguson's decision to put Carrick on him led to a subdued remainder of the game. Will regret not making the most of a number of opportunities to shoot.

Song - 5 - Ball-winning skill went out the window. Couldn't win back possession from United's midifeld trio. Booked for tackle on Nani.

Denilson - 4 - Fixture passed the young Brazilian by. Not up to the opposition's level. Fell asleep to commit the cardinal sin of allowing Rooney the space to charge in to the penalty area for his goal and offered no challenge on Nani for the opener. Hooked for Walcott.

Nasri - 5 - Let down by his team mates. Several times took up a promising position only for Arshavin and others not to play him in. Angered Fabregas when he blocked a cross that was bound for the Spaniard's right boot.

Arshavin - 4 - Decision making was all askew. Shot when he should have passed a number of times and when he did pull the trigger he failed to trouble Van der Sar.

Rosicky - 5 - Played on the periphery of the match. Hardly had an involvement of note. Substituted for Eboue.

Substitutes

Walcott - 5 - Pace got him in to decent positions only for his distribution to let him down. Same old story.

Eboue - 5 - Fell to his knees when faced by the on-rushing Rooney.

Bendtner - 6 - Provided a target for Arsenal's crosses but unable to nod in a goal.

MANCHESTER UNITED

Van der Sar - 6 - Surprisingly little to do as his team mates stamped their authority on the proceedings. Wrong-footed by Evans' deflection.

Rafael da Silva - 7 - Flanked Brown and occasionally motored up the pitch to support Nani. Got his foot in to the tackle in trademark fashion and kept it simple to ensure the win.

Jonny Evans - 8 - Untroubled by Arsenal's vertically challenged attack. Won a number of easy headers and important tackles. Made several no-nonsense clearances which steadied the ship. Unlucky to deflect Vermaelen's tame shot past Van der Sar.

Brown - 5 - Saved a worse ratings by Arshavin's ineptitude. Given the run-around by the Russian and on another day he would have been the weak link.

Evra - 7 - Less expressive going forward but a steady influence in defence. Quick to jump in to the tackle. Moved inside to smother Arsenal's forays in to the penalty area.

Scholes - 8 - Struggled at the start when at the base of the diamond to keep up with Fabregas. Exploded in to life after Ferguson's tactical shake up. Pushed on to support Rooney and ensured possession stayed with the visitor's. Was on old head for another when replaced by Giggs.

Carrick - 9 - Arguably the best performance of his United career. Always available for the ball, efficient in possession and aggressive in the tackle. Was the glue that held the midfield together.

Fletcher - 8 - Left the plaudits to Nani and Rooney but still shone. Charged up the pitch to add an extra man while never neglecting his defensive duties. A lesson in top class midfield play.

Nani - 9 - Rewarded Ferguson's faith in perfect style. Exhibited genius with an act of supreme skill to create the opener. Importantly, also kept his head to play in Rooney for the second. Constant thorn in Clichy's side. Thanked for his efforts by United bench after being taken off for Berbatov.

Rooney - 9 - Yet another outstanding display. Led the line like a veteran. Held the ball up with confidence then had the ability to pick holes in Arsenal's defence. Winning instinct on show when he drove up the pitch to place United in to a two-goal lead.

Park - 8 - Killed Arsenal on the counter attack. Linked play exceptionally well and finished with uncharacteristic aplomb for the third goal. Supported Evra when asked to defend. Taken off for Valencia.

Substitutes

Berbatov - 5 - Bumbled when played in by Valencia.

Giggs - 7 - Continued in Scholes' vein. Retained possession and looked to spring Arsenal's rearguard.

Valencia - 6 - Excuded confidence when he came on. Speed got him in to a number of good positions. Berbatov shold have scored when played in by the Ecuadorian.
(By Matt Monaghan)