Fergie: “
This victory is as big as the win against Liverpool, it is very significant.“There's a long way to go but we are looking forward to getting more players back over Christmas, when we should be in good fettle, and we can look forward to the next few months. I think it gives us a chance,"
"I think it (defeat at The Hovel) was the defining moment, I really do. I've been delighted with the players' response since then.
"They have proved time and time again that they have the ability but you have to keep your foot on them all the time about the desire to win matches.
"I thought we were the better team. Arsenal had one chance from Thierry Henry but, other than that, we defended very well, played great football and had the confidence to get in amongst them.
"We worked so hard and showed the desire to win the match. The mood of the players in the past few weeks has been terrific and the team spirit is great."
Keano,. whilst summarising for Sky Sports:
“
It`s a fantastic result. But as good a result as it was, Liverpool, Everton and Chelsea will be happy too."Seba has done very well. He started the original attack and continued his run."
As regards the first goal and the ’handball’: "There was still a lot to do there (before United could score). It was a good decision. The referees and linesmen get a lot of criticism but they were good decisions."
Wenger: "There is no debate, it was a definite handball by van Nistelrooy.
"That was the turning-point as it had a huge influence on the game. Manchester United were hungry and, in their heads, they were the outsiders. It was like a cup tie for them.
"We have been given a good warning as to how much the other teams to beat us. The title race is now open again for Manchester United.
"We knew that before but the reality is there after this game, although it will not only be them, it will be Liverpool and maybe Chelsea as well.
"However, it is our title still to win as we are still in front and it depends on us."
On from Arsenal’s official site: “They defended and went for the aks. They did that very well. They won more 50:50s. The fact that they were 1-0 up and did not have to chase the game made them concentrate more on defending well. We had to run after the game and you are always much less focussed on defending when you do that. Before they scored the crowd was starting to whistle. Then they went 1-0 up and of course the crowd were on their side, supporting them to defend. That made them defend better.”
Adams in his Observer column:
It was a bit of a surprise to see the newspapers yesterday all picking up my opinion from a Sky Sports interview that I thought Manchester United would beat Arsenal at Old Trafford. It was nice that I hadn't been forgotten.
It also occurred to me that I am still doing Arsenal's motivational work for them. It was an honestly held opinion. I had seen United working hard for each other in recent weeks and also believed Arsenal to be playing a little too openly, leaving defenders isolated. And so it was in United's 2-0 win, though it gives me little pleasure to be proved right.
I can now say publicly what I used to say to Arséne Wenger privately on occasion, that the most crucial area of any game is getting the numbers and balance right in midfield.
The Manchester United defence impressed me. I personally think that Laurent Blanc is not the player he was and like the look of Mikael Silvestre in there. It was also noticeable how much Gary Neville cared and I think that transmitted itself to the rest of the team. The other full-back, John O'Shea, is a fantastic player in my opinion.
He is naturally a central defender, but took to the position well and brings the team a freshness that can give enthusiasm to the older players, in the way that I enjoyed the exuberance of Ashley Cole when he broke into the Arsenal team.
We saw glimpses of Arsenal's superior talent in patches, talent that makes them the most exciting team in the country, but I remain convinced that the difference between first and second is resilience, especially away.