Stunned Gunners battered by rampant Reds
United’s resounding 3-1 win, inspired by yet another excellent performance from Wayne Rooney, brought back memories of last year’s Champions League triumph here in north London and came on the back of a thrilling Carling Cup semi-final victory over derby rivals Manchester City in midweek.
Having punctured City’s desire to buy their way to supremacy in Manchester so dramatically, United were even more ruthless in their demolition of Arsenal who will surely spend the rest of the season looking in at a two-horse title race from the outside.
True, Alex Ferguson’s champions are not yet top of the table – they still remain one point behind leaders Chelsea – but the desire, quality and confidence they showed to demoralise Arsene Wenger’s side suggests they have both the potential and the appetite to extend their domination of the Premier League by winning it for a fourth season in a row.
With Chelsea also reeling from the seemingly never-ending allegations about captain John Terry’s personal life this is the perfect time for United to begin their title charge and they have done exactly that thanks to a Manuel Almunia own goal followed by strikes from Rooney and Ji-Sung Park.
“It was a great performance by us, no doubt about that,” said Ferguson. “At this time of year you really need to kick on and Wednesday’s result and performance galvanised us
“The run-in is always a difficult period. But we’ve handled it over the years and I’m trusting them to handle it again.”
What was inspiring about this performance was not just the level of dominance United showed for long periods but the fact it was built on excellent displays from so many people. There has been a suggestion recently that United are something of a one-man team, but that was not the case here.
Yes, Rooney was outstanding – scoring a wonderful goal on the break and terrorising the Arsenal defence – but there were many other heroes, in particular in midfield where United took a strangle-hold on the game.
Darren Fletcher’s work rate combined with Michael Carrick and Paul Scholes’ slick passing were the key to their success but perhaps the brightest spark came from winger Nani, who until now has found it so difficult to emerge from the shadow of Cristiano Ronaldo.
The winger, who at one stage looked certain to leave Old Trafford after publicly criticising Ferguson for mishandling his career, was hugely influential because his pace and trickery left Gael Clichy chasing shadows. It was Nani who created the crucial opening goal after 33 minutes, beating his marker with an exquisite trick before chipping a cross to the far post where Almunia flapped it into his own net. And it was Nani who received a pass from Rooney on the break four minutes later, sprinted clear and returned the ball for his team-mate, who had produced a lung-busting run down the centre of the field to leave lumbering Denilson in his wake, to hit the net with a first-time finish.
“It was Nani’s best performance for us, absolutely,” said Ferguson. “The boy’s had an injury but he’s come back, freshened up and his last three games have been first class.
“Maturity is the thing, he’s 23 now. He’s a very shy boy and maybe his personality has come stronger and he’s better able to deal with playing for us every week. Today is an example of that maturity.”
United’s victory, which at times was embarrassingly easy as inexplicably clueless Arsenal struggled to find either momentum or cohesion, was sealed after 52 minutes when Park raced clear on one side of the field, chose to ignore the equally unmarked Nani on the other flank and finished clinically at Almunia’s near post.
Arsenal did wake up at the death, scoring through a deflected effort from Thomas Vermaelen, but they were never truly in the game and could have suffered an even more miserable fate if the outstanding Rooney, having already scored his 100th goal in the Premier League, had not narrowly missed with three further chances.
“He was unbelievable,” said Ferguson. “He was the key point for us in the sense that they just couldn’t handle him. Everything was that played towards him, in front of him or behind him and he was on it. I think he was a really great player today.”
It is obviously crucial for United’s long-term future that Rooney stays at the club, despite speculation that the likes of Real Madrid and Barcelona are desperate to tempt him away from England.
So it is bad news for those who predicted the end of the Red era that he has already indicated he wants to sign a long-term deal and is content to stay exactly where he is.
“I know that. We’ve always known that,” insisted Ferguson.
“He’s very happy at the club. You couldn’t meet a better lad, he’s a very down to earth boy and he’ll not change because that’s the way he is.
“I think it’s refreshing in this day and age when you see so many celebrity-type footballers who earn a lot of money.
“A lot of people change with success but I’m pleased to say he hasn’t.
“As for the contract, I don’t know the situation, I don’t involve myself in that.
“But I’m sure David Gill is working with Paul Stretford (Rooney’s agent). I don’t think there’s any doubt about that. And hopefully something does happen.”
So, the future for United, both short and long term, is looking pretty good. In fact , after today’s performance, it’s looking just like it always has done.
Match rating: **** You expected this game to be easy on the eye but Manchester United’s performance was also full of purposeful quality and clinical finishing. Just a shame Arsenal didn’t make a game of it until too late.
Referee: Chris Foy (Merseyside) 7 The fact he was largely anonymous in the match suggests he did a good and there were certainly no major gaffes. He allowed the game to flow.
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