Statistics & Post-Match Quotes | Manchester United 2-1 Arsenal

TEAM STATISTICS

The Busby Babe	United	Arsenal
Shots (on target)	13 (6)	7 (2)
Total Passes Completed	455	522
Passing Accuracy	85%	88%
Ball Possession	48%	52%
Tackles won	22	10
Interceptions	20	12
Fouls	15	15
Corners	6	1
Offsides	5	1

MUFC PLAYER STATISTICS

* David de Gea (goalkeeper): 7/10 passing (70%), 1 goal conceded, 1 save

* Rio Ferdinand (right-center-back): 40/48 passing (83%), 6/11 long balls, 0 tackles, 1 interception, 6 clearances (3 effective), 1 shot blocked, 0 fouls

* Jonny Evans (left-center-back): 52/58 (90%), 6/8 long balls, 3 tackles, 1 interception, 6 clearances (4 effective), 0 shots blocked, 0 fouls

* Rafael (right-back): 44/56 passing (79%), 0 chances created, 1/4 crosses, 1/3 long balls, 0 successful dribbles, 1 tackle, 2 interceptions, 3 clearances (1 effective), 0 shots blocked, 2 fouls

* Patrice Evra (left-back): 48/49 passing (98%), 2 chances created, 1/2 crosses, 2/2 long balls, 0 successful dribbles, 3 tackles, 1 interception, 5 clearances (4 effective), 0 shots blocked, 0 fouls, 1 goal

* Michael Carrick (central-midfield): 65/77 passing (84%), 1 chance created, 0/0 crosses, 8/12 long balls, 0/1 through balls, 0 successful dribbles, 0 fouls won, 3 tackles, 6 interceptions, 1 shots (0 on target)

* Tom Cleverley (central-midfield | substituted off 61'): 40/41 passing (98%), 0 chances created, 0/1 crosses, 7/7 long balls, 0/0 through balls, 1 successful dribbles, 2 fouls won, 3 tackles, 0 interceptions, 0 shots

* Antonio Valencia (right-winger | substituted off 82'): 30/35 passing (86%), 2 chances created, 0/3 crosses, 0/1 long balls, 0/0 through balls, 4 successful dribbles, 1 foul won, 3 tackles, 0 interceptions, 0 shots

* Ashley Young (left-winger): 28/34 passing (82%), 2 chances crated, 1/6 crosses, 2/3 long balls, 0/0 through balls, 9 successful dribbles, 4 fouls won, 1 tackle, 1 interception, 0 shots

* Wayne Rooney (central-attacking-midfielder): 50/61 passing (82%), 2 chances created, 1/7 crosses, 6/9 long balls, 1/2 through balls, 0 successful dribbles, 0 fouls won, 4 tackles, 5 interceptions, 4 shots (1 on target), 1 assist

* Robin van Persie (striker): 26/30 passing (87%), 1 chance created, 1/3 crosses, 1/1 long ball, 0/0 through balls, 0 successful dribbles, 4 fouls won, 4 shots (4 on target), 1 goal

* Anderson (central-midfield | substituted on 61'): 26/28 passing (93%), 0 chances created, 0/0 crosses, 2/2 long balls, 1/1 through balls, 2 successful dribbles, 0 fouls won, 0 tackles, 1 interception, 1 shot (0 on target)

* Nani (right-winger | substituted on 82'): 5/6 passing (83%), 0 chances created, 0/1 crosses, 0/1 long balls, 0/0 through balls, 0 successful dribbles, 0 fouls won, 0 tackles, 2 interceptions, 1 shot (0 on target)

POST-MATCH QUOTES

Sir Alex Ferguson | MUFC manager (courtesy of MUTV)

(Overall thoughts...) "

"It looked as if it was going to be self destruction. It only takes a second to lose a goal. They had some possession without really threatening us, but thank god we got the second one because the fact they scored right on full-time would have been an embarrassment [if we'd only have been 1-0 up]. It was a strange game and the chances we missed... well, we should have put the game to bed a long, long time ago. If you see the scoreline you'd think it was a close game, but it wasn't. There was a lack of urgency in our game throughout. We were far too casual. It was an unusual Manchester United/Arsenal game. There were a lot of bookings but it never really got anywhere near the Manchester United/Arsenal games of the past. I was just really disappointed in our ability to hammer home the advantage. I spoke about goal difference to the players at the start of the season. We lost [the title] on goal difference last season and I don't want to see that again. We had an opportunity to add to the goal tally today."

(On van Persie...) "It was good for Robin to get the goal and he took it very well. I thought he was fantastic today - his movement and his penetration were brilliant. He did the right thing [not celebrating his goal]. He had eight great years at Arsenal and he respects that and I thought the Arsenal fans were fine too."

Robin van Persie | MUFC striker (courtesy of Sky Sports)

(On not celebrating after his goal...) "I think it speaks for itself. I played there [at Arsenal] for eight years. I had a fantastic time there and I respect the fans, the players, the manager and the whole club. So that’s why."

(Overall thoughts...) ""It was a special day and in the end it was quite a game, I think we played well. We were a bit sloppy with chances and should have scored two or three more. But in the end we are happy with three points because that is all that matters."

(On the goalscoring chances that he had...) "Yes I did have an easy chance in the second half. I didn’t expect so much time on the ball to be fair. I thought that Thomas Vermaelen was a bit closer to me so I decided to shoot quickly. It was a bad choice because I could have taken one more touch and finished it. I should’ve scored two but I am happy with one."

(Final thoughts...) "As I said, it was a special day. It was the first time I have ever played against my former club because I only have three. It was a special day but in the end it is about the game, which we won so I am pleased with that."

Wayne Rooney | MUFC attacker (courtesy of Sky Sports)

(On his missed penalty...) "I don’t know what happened but these things happen. Obviously, I am disappointed with the penalty but I will move on because we won the game and that is the most important thing. It’s something that is gone now for me."

(Overall thoughts...) "We had plenty of chances. Obviously, it was a poor penalty from myself but we should be taking care of games and we had a lot of chances late doors, especially when they went down to 10 men, to kill it off and we didn’t do it. That could cost us in the future. We need to make sure we are more clinical to finish games off. We tried to stop them playing. They are a fantastic football team but if you stop their playmakers then you have a chance, especially when you win the ball. If you win it high up the pitch you can break off them and create chances. We did that quite well and the led to a lot of chances for us. It certainly was our game-plan – to stop them playing and press them high."

(On the results...) "We knew we would go top if we won before the game. It is important to us after dropping two points on the first game of the season. We have done well and dug in at times to grind out some results whilst playing some good football. It’s nice to be top of the league, it might not be for long but we are happy to be there."

Arsene Wenger | Arsenal manager (courtesy of Arsenal.com)

(Overall thoughts...) "I’m disappointed of course, because we had a lot of the ball but we were not very efficient in our final third or in their final third. You feel it was a bit [of] an illusionary domination. We had a lot of the ball but they created more chances and deserved to win the game. Part of that is down to the fact that we gave an early goal away. In a game like that, that’s a massive advantage [for Manchester United]. Then they defended well, were sharper than us in the duels and the consequence is you lose the game."

(On van Persie scoring...) "Honestly, that doesn’t bother me at all. That doesn’t matter. What you want is to win the game. You don’t care about who scores in their team. What is most important is that you don’t make a mistake at the back and you don’t give chances away."

(On what he said to van Persie at half-time...) "Nothing special."