Ferguson unconvinced despite win

Alex Ferguson says Manchester United should have won far more convincingly after edging Arsenal 2-1 at Old Trafford on Saturday.

Goals from former Arsenal man Robin Van Persie and Patrick Evra wrapped up all three points for hosts United, with Santi Cazorla pulling one back for the visitors late on.

United were relatively untroubled throughout most of the match against their old rivals, and Ferguson was disappointed his team’s comfort was not reflected in the margin of victory.

“You look at that scoreline, 2-1, you think it’s a close game but it’s wasn’t a close game,” Ferguson told Sky Sports.

“Chances were missed; we should have put it to bed a long, long time ago.

“There was a lack of urgency in our game throughout, far too casual.

“It was an unusual Manchester United v Arsenal game really. I know there were a lot of bookings but it didn’t really get anywhere near the Manchester United v Arsenal games in the past.”

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger said his players created little despite enjoying ample possession, and feels United were well worth their victory.

“I’m disappointed of course because we had a lot of the ball, but we were not very efficient in their final third,” he said.

“You feel that 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.

“But part of that is down to the fact that we gave an early goal away and, in a game like that, it’s a massive advantage. When they defended well, and were sharper than us in the duels, then the consequences of that is you lose the game.

Wenger declined to comment on the performance of goal-scorer Van Persie, who swapped north London for the red half of Manchester in the off-season.

“Honestly, that does not bother me at all,” he said.

“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.”