Wenger blasts United approach as 'anti-football'

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has accused Manchester United of adopting “anti-football” tactics after a fiery meeting between the Barclays Premier League title hopefuls.

United were 2-1 winners over the Gunners on Saturday, coming from behind after Andrey Arshavin had given the visitors the lead.

Arsenal were arguably the better team but were responsible for their own downfall when Manuel Almunia tripped Wayne Rooney to concede a penalty before Abou Diaby inexplicably headed into his own net.

Wenger was then sent to the stands for kicking a water bottle after Robin van Persie’s late strike was disallowed for offside.

That capped a week of perceived injustice for Wenger after Eduardo was charged by UEFA over his alleged dive to win a penalty in the Champions League win over Celtic.

The Frenchman, though, compared Eduardo’s behaviour favourably with the tough-tackling of United at Old Trafford.

“I have seen a player who plays on the pitch only to make fouls,” he said. “For me, this is a point that is more urgent than diving.”