Sir Alex Ferguson’s men came out on top against the Gunners after comfortably thrashing them at the Theatre of Dreams, ensuring top spot along the way.
The story was set and the atmosphere pulsating as United welcomed their perennial rivals Arsenal to Old Trafford. The visitors would have cringed after remembering last year’s 8-2 rout but their anguish turned to fire after seeing http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Robin-van-Persie-c31380 in opposing
colours.
Holland’s favourite son starred at the Emirates for eight years before eventually moving to Manchester this summer and had all eyes on him as he faced his former employers.
The game kicked off in style and soon justified its hype on 3 minutes as Van Persie offered the perfect reply to Arsenal fans with a sublimely hit volley into the bottom corner.
Belgium’s http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Thomas-Vermaelen-c35002 failed to clear a routine cross from Rafael and the ball fell kindly to United’s in-form front man, who wasted no time in giving his side the lead.
For most of the first-half, United had majority of the possession in the areas that mattered and despite not scoring, looked certain to come out with a win.
That fear was reaffirmed when the Reds were awarded a penalty right before the break when referee Mike Dean pointed to the spot following a http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Santi-c32503 Cazorla handball.
http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Wayne-Rooney-c36736 stepped up and very much unlike his usual self failed to find the back of the net, leaving the home team with a 1-0 score after 45 minutes.
Just as the first half had ended, United emerged stronger in the second period l and troubled the http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Arsenal-c38429 backline with ease.
However, they weren't able to conver that dominance into goals, as http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Alex-c4752’s face put things into perspective.
However, the Scot and his team enjoyed the fruit of their continuous labour, extending their lead through Patrice Evra’s header from a Rooney cross.
While the 19-time English champions seem to have wrapped up the win, there was far more drama to come as http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Jack-Wilshere-c17463 was sent off following a second yellow card.
The English midfielder roughly stamped Evra on 69 minutes and got his marching orders, despite his pleas for mercy.
Arsene Wenger was clearly livid on the touchline but http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Santi-Cazorla-c32505’s late effort salvaged a bit of pride in the scoreline for the Frenchman, which should have pleased him a bit.
That wasn’t the case, however, as he immediately launched a tirade of attacks on the referee’s decisions and claimed that Wilshere should have remained on the field.
On the other hand, Sir Alex, was angry at his players for missing the chance to extend their lead and lamented their finishing, which also included a misplaced spot kick.
"I was disappointed to be honest with you, game where we should have won by four or five. I think I need to sleep on it, I could not believe the chances we missed. We should have put it to bed a long, long time ago and you look at that scoreline 2-1 and
you think it was a close game, but it wasn't a close game.”
"I think there was a lack of urgency in our game throughout, far too casual. It was an unusual Manchester United - Arsenal game really,” said the former Aberdeen boss while talking to the media.
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