Andrei Arshavin capped a brilliant first half by putting Arsenal ahead before Rooney won a penalty when he went down under goalkeeper Manuel Almunia’s challenge, which he scored himself.
Abou Diaby turned Ryan Giggs’ free-kick into his own net to give the hosts victory in this Barclays Premier League contest, which saw Gunners boss Arsene Wenger sent to the stands late on for his reaction to a disallowed Arsenal goal.
Rooney said afterwards: “No-one really knew who was our penalty taker. Then we got one at Burnley but Michael Carrick unfortunately missed it so from then on I said I’d take them - and thankfully I scored today.”
On the match, he continued on Sky Sports News: “It was a good game.
“I thought we were much better in the second half. Arsenal had a lot of possession in the first half but didn’t really hurt us - apart from the goal.
“The second half we knew we had to be better and thankfully we were. I tried getting on the end of the ball and I’ve done so and the goalkeeper took my legs from me - so I’ve had no option.
“Last season our record against the big teams wasn’t great and Arsenal have started the season well, so we needed to win today.
“Forwards, if they score goals, tend to get man of the match awards - but I think Darren Fletcher was head and shoulders over anyone on the pitch today.”
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How Rooney got man of the match bafffles me? Saying that, im the only idiot who still thinks City wont win the league in my lifetime........................................
As Andy Gray said "its more about points than performance at this point of the season" well we certainly rode our luck and could have been down by a couple of goals without us replying. But then we got the equaliser and we started to play like a team with some great individual efforts put in. We all expect Rooney and Fletcher to give everything, but the sight of Nani defending a ball and not only winning it but making sure it didn't go out for a corner was a sight to behold. Valencia needs to find some confidence but that will come. The Anderson argument is still rumbling on, but overall happy with what I have seen so far and the signs are looking good. I think some fans on here need to remember that the league is a marathon not a sprint. It would be great if we came out of the blocks firing on all cylinders and winning every game in style, but we haven't and we are still in the top three in the premiership (yes I know others have games in hand). No doubt "Danny from Wilmslow" will be on soon demanding the resignation of SAF but sorry Danny as far as I am concerned SAF is still the king and is building another team to challenge, it's still work in progress but I have confidence in the man.
nice game fletcher.penalty well taken rooney
Thanks Darren, you saved our butts today.
Errr.....you, a penalty and an own goal.
Great result. I don't normally complain about our performance but we were second best for most of the first half.We did improve second half but I do agree with Rooney that Fletcher was our best performer. 4-3-3 certainly was not our best formation by a long way. Rooney was isolated for most of the first half and on another day we could have conceded more than one goal. Not our best performance but one of our best results.
Can't wait for the knives to come out on this one.....I say thumbs up - three points against a serious contender.
We were a bit lucky to today.We didn,t have the fluency in midfield or anywhere else in the park today, but Im happy the way we have showed character and got the three points.Only time will tell if we can improve our football.I think we can... I rather take a bad performance and three points against a good side than a good a performance and no points against a bad side..
Can't really call that a UTD win as much as you can an Arsenal loss. Other than 2 late chances,Nani and Berba UTD created nothing. Giggs should have been off before half time. Why with only one game in a week does SAF leave Owen and or Berba on the bench? It is time for SAF to ride off into the sunset along with Giggs and scholes.
CARRICK HAS BEEN FOUND OUT !! GIGGS SHOULD NOT START - HE IS A GREAT SQUAD PLAYER BUT 90 MINS WORTH ??? NO - WHY THE HELL BRING BERBA ON FOR 5 MINS - GIVE THE GUY A CHANCE !!
Sounds like great coaching (NOT)! No one knew who the penalty taker was, that's just great. In that case good for Carrick for taking command and good for Rooney for taking over! And a very good penalty to boot :-) Should put up his goals for the season if he takes the rest.
Thanks Wayne your contribution to the team is held in esteem by anyone who as played or knows the game,good to see that you are maturing into the complete player.Also thanks for the comment on DR he had a great game today and it was nice to hear you compliment him.
Wazza, considering what you had to work with out here, you're a brilliant lad. Your last comment is pure class, and spot on.
Boy were we lucky or what? We will suffer even more because of Fergie's stubborness in not bolstering our very weak midfield (we needed more than just Valencia), oops, sorry that's our world class midfield, according to you know who. We are just so blessed to be able to call on the likes of Giggs,Park Carrick and Scholes to get in there. I must say that I'm thinking Anderson may well be on the way out, not now, as it's a bit late, but probably in the January window. Shame, but I thnik ot's too late for him to impress Fergie now.
Took his penalty well under pressure! Nice Article
Had a little help today.... pen, own goal, same old LUCKY UNITED. Had a bet before game (pen,own goal,sending off) missed out no sending off, 2 out of three an't bad oh well i lose u win
wenger will be as bitter as a losing aussie
Chelsea, Chelsea, Chelsea. Lose one match please. Then Ancelotti can do a Scholari.
Wayne wasn't great tonight but he sure kept Arsenal's defense busy tracking and marking him. The lad is pure genius.
Up the Reds!
Rooney said afterwards: “No-one really knew who was our penalty taker. Then we got one at Burnley but Michael Carrick unfortunately missed it so from then on I said I’d take them - and thankfully I scored today.”
Is it not incredible that a great manager sent in his team without a designated
penalty taker?
carrick should take a look at the replay of Ronaldo's penalty today. just a pass inside the post, dead simple. rooney's too was a cracker. no professional should miss a penalty.
Good result for you lot but with no midfield, Berbaflop up front and an ageing back four you lot are looking at no CL next season along with the dippers.
I think his comment on Fletch was spot on. He is so much more physical now but I am dissappointed that no new blood was brought in. Carrick has been found out and Park is a waste of space. Giggs is too old and a new mid fielder is a must buy. We appear to have failed to get Stephen Ireland but at least we tried. Mouthino is worth a punt.
Ashley Young is now wasted at Aston Villa, He can play on the left or the right and also as second stiker. With Ronaldo gone and Giggs reaching the end of his career, would be a fabulous signing, consider his age he could give 10 years to Man Utd.
Also played with Ben Foster at Watford.
Can anybody think of a better signing? Get Fergie to see sense and tie it up before Tuesday.
Evra and Carrick were well annoyed as they thought they would take it.
Carrick will be gone.
Arshavin £10m, Berbatov £30m - discuss.
Well done wazza - stepped up!!
Cant believe some of the comments on here about Fletch. All completely well deserved but seeing comments on this site a couple of years ago compared to now is amazing.
All he needs to do is work on his shooting and he could be as good as gerrard!!!!!