If ever a football match was in reality a contest between two men in suits and ties, last night's meeting of Manchester United and Arsenal was it. Twenty-two men on the pitch became the surrogates for the simmering battle between Alex Ferguson and Arsene Wenger in a thrilling game in which artistry competed for oxygen with mayhem.
From the way United's players tore into their gold-shirted opponents last night it seemed Ferguson's pre-match talk must have taken its tone from his much-quoted address earlier this week, the one filled with obscenities and pointless rancour. That was certainly how United commenced last night's hostilities, with football not for the squeamish or the easily offended.
Earlier this season it was Arsenal's atrocious disciplinary record that provided the topic for debate. Quietly, and without admitting guilt, Wenger took his team in hand and ensured all their efforts were concentrated on winning matches rather than fights.
His success was evident in his players' response to United's tactics. When Paul Scholes, Phil Neville and Roy Keane were booked for ugly fouls against Edu, Sylvain Wiltord and Patrick Vieira in a six-minute period midway through the first half, the likes of Martin Keown and Lauren were quick to approach Paul Durkin with urgent remonstration in their eyes. Trouble loomed but the Arsenal players were equally swift to accept the referee's authority and back off.
Such was the physical ferocity displayed by several of United's players, however, at this stage that their opponents' concern was understandable. Keane, in particular, seemed to be on a mission to make Freddie Ljungberg pay for his recent achievements, although the Swede refused to buckle under the intimidation. Scholes was having one of those unfortunate nights when he chooses to demonstrate the inefficiency of his tackling technique and he was perhaps lucky that Sven-Goran Eriksson had chosen to travel to Anfield.
There could be no doubt that United's pride was at stake at Old Trafford last night, as well as their chance to stay in the hunt for the championship. After the turbulence of the last couple of weeks it was no surprise to see them confront Arsenal with a supercharged version of the high-tempo game that has brought them seven titles in the last nine seasons.
As well as whatever Ferguson had to say, no doubt the players had taken to heart Keane's angry words on Tuesday about the need to stand up and be counted.. For long periods last night the choleric desperation of United looked less convincing than the quick wits and deft passing of Arsenal, an impression confirmed when Mikael Silvestre's panicky loss of possession allowed Wiltord to give Arsenal the lead midway through the second half.
What was surprising was the composition of the side Ferguson sent out with the instruction to preserve United's slim chance of taking their fourth title in a row. United's manager had responded to the big occasion by taking an unexpected and high-risk option, leaving van Nistlerooy on the bench, to no avail.
Last night there was no talk of mind games. Instead there was football that stretched the nerves and compelled admiration for anyone who could survive in such an unforgiving atmosphere.
Guardian Service
