Sir Alex Ferguson brought Wayne Rooney and Cristiano Ronaldo back into his starting line-up for the game. Patrice Evra and Paul Scholes also returned to the Reds XI, whilst Jens Lehman was in goal for the Gooners ahead of the injured Almunia.

United have only leaked five league goals at Old Trafford this season - and yet an ambitious Arsenal side had four superb opportunities to break the deadlock before half-time.

Arsenal had to win this game to keep their title hopes alive and, licking their wounds from their Champions League defeat against the Scousers, burst out of the traps after Howard Webb's very first whistle.

Emmanuel Adebayor was the man who could have put Arsenal out of sight before half-time. He squandered a quartet of chances - one blocked by Rio Ferdinand, with a couple more saved by Edwin van der Sar. The Gooners would ultimately rue not taking advantage of their first-half dominance.

Arsenal did get the goal they deserved after the interval as Adebayor bundled home a Van Persie cross. The striker appeared to handle the ball into the net but the officials were blind to the offence and suddenly the North Londoners' title hopes were alive.

Arsene Wenger blames referees, pitch conditions and, just about everything, to explain his team's plight. However, in truth, it's his sides inability to hold onto leads which will see them go for a third successive season without major silverware.

United were level just six minutes later. Arsenal's petulant captain William Gallas handled in the box and the spot-kick was awarded. Ronaldo buried his first attempt but was forced to re-take due t encroachment. The winger dealt with the pressure superbly - once again beating Lehman to his right to celebrate his 37^th goal of the campaign.

It was another set-piece that would ultimately separate the two sides. Hargreaves floated a deft free-kick over the wall and into the back of the net after Evra had been tripped. Lehman didn't move - the Stretford End was in ecstasy.

Arsenal, to their credit, continued to push forward in numbers but their desire was gone. With the three points out of sight, their title dreams were over. United held on, finishing the game with some teasing keep-ball moves, to edge ever-closer to that seventeenth league championship crown.

Full Time - Manchester United 2-1 Arsenal
Attendance - 75,985

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