AND STILL HE GOES ON AND ON

After last night’s match you’d think he’d have more to worry about:

"I would not say that they [United] will necessarily be our main rivals for the title this year. I was not especially impressed by their display on Saturday. That is why we can have regrets, and after we gave the game away in the way we did, we can't be happy.

"The result was certainly a boost for United but we're still top of the League. It was a warning for us. We know it wasn't good enough and will not hide from that. It is important for us to face the truth and respond to it.

"If you look at the possession and number of shots on goal, nothing was really produced by either side. The only difference was we made two big mistakes which led to goals. United didn't.

"That result was a boost for United but we are still top of the league so it was only a warning for us.

"We are in a good position in Europe, now we have two months to concentrate on the Premier League. After winning in Rome we expected to win at Highbury. But as long as we continue to play like this we will do well.”

Fergie obviously saw it differently:

“I believe we have now put down our marker. After a rocky start we are back in business and in face of our injury list I cannot speak too highly of the players who have come in and performed so well.

“Perhaps it took the defeat and poor show against Manchester City to bring the players to their senses and quietly say to themselves that enough is enough and that we are playing to the level not only expected of us but which we are capable of achieving.

“The turning point came with the vital football we produced against Newcastle and the way we took our chances. The visit to Liverpool was another important test and it was passed with flying colours. Then came the big one against Arsenal and a masterly display.

“We set out to get possession and control midfield and we did exactly that. Seba Veron and Paul Scholes not only dominated in that area but got our two goals as well. Seba has taken a lot of unfair criticism, rode it and was a star against the Gunners.

“Mention of the midfield, though, would not be complete without singling out Phil Neville who was the foundation with the determined way he got about the pitch. Phil has always been a capable player when I have brought him in to do a job in the centre of the park, but his tackling and quickness against Arsenal were phenomenal.

“It was the first time Arsenal had failed to score in 56 League matches which tells you the story of our midfield and of course a back four put together in face of injuries to major players to feature the two youngsters, Wes Brown and John O’Shea. They defended brilliantly and kept Arsenal so much at bay that I think our visitors had only one clear-cut chance.”