Ducker: United miss chance to kill off Arsenal I Dickinson on callow Arsenal I How Manchester United rated I How Arsenal rated I Actions speak louder than words for Tevez I How the match unfolded I Fergie set for sleepless nights I Debate: will United rue missed opportunities? | Graphic: Tactical breakdown

MANCHESTER UNITED (4-2-3-1)

EDWIN VAN DER SAR 6

Largely redundant throughout the first half as Arsenal struggled to get out of their own half, but got done well to save Francesc Fabregas’ shot in the 27th minute.

JOHN O’SHEA 7

Diligent in defence and adventurous in attack, O’Shea combined well down the right flank with Cristiano Ronaldo. Crossed for Tevez to force a fine save from Manuel Almunia before scoring himself seconds later with a well-taken finish.

RIO FERDINAND 7

The England defender could not have imagined he would be quite so under-employed last night but he looked comfortable on those rare occasions when Arsenal did venture forward.

NEMANJA VIDIC 7

Won the vast majority of his aerial tussles with Emmanuel Adebayor but, like Ferdinand, was not put under nearly as much pressure as he might have imagined.

PATRICE EVRA 7

The France left back’s recent performances have left a lot to be desired and after the runaround he was given by Aaron Lennon against Tottenham Hotspur at the weekend, some feared the worst for him against Theo Walcott but he kept Arsenal’s flying winger pretty quiet throughout.