Arsenal hold United scoreless

Manchester Utd 0, Arsenal 0 (half-time)

Arsenal were still in pole position in the potential title decider at Old Trafford as they held Manchester United in a goalless first-half amid a ferociously intense midfield battle.

Chances were at a premium as Arsenal, who needed only a point to secure the second stage of the double, held their own amid increasing pressure from the home side.

Roy Keane’s accusation that his team-mates had been too easily knocked aside by Bayer Leverkusen had clearly been taken to heart.

The United captain was himself like a man possessed, tackling any opponent that moved with a shuddering intensity and earning the yellow card for a foul on Patrick Vieira.

His team-mates followed suit, effectively trying to rough up the visitors by knocking them out of their stride in a particularly feisty first-half.

Tempers continued to rise as Phil Neville’s needless late challenge on Sylvain Wiltord also earned him a caution.

However, United would have been better served by concentrating on keeping possession rather than squandering the ball as the succession of free-kicks ensured they could not settle into a rhythm.

Veron, who was now effectively roaming at will, delivered a low dead-ball effort that travelled through a crowd of players but was comfortably grasped by David Seaman, as was Keane’s long-range volley.

Otherwise, chances were few and far between as play became condensed into a midfield battle, albeit with United starting to raise their tempo as Edu became the latest player to be booked.