Manchester 13, London 3

[FarangRed]

Wayne Rooney: We were incredible

Manchester United scored an incredible eight goals against Arsenal at Old Trafford to go top of the Premier League.

Danny Welbeck started the rout before goals from Ashley Young (two), Wayne Rooney (three), Nani and Ji-sung Park piled on the misery for the Gunners.

It was not all one way traffic, with David de Gea saving Robin van Persie's penalty with the score at 1-0, while Theo Walcott and Van Persie did find the target for the visitors.

Carl Jenkinson was sent off late on for a second yellow card. The only negative on the day was Welbeck's early withdrawal with what looked like a hamstring strain.

Revamped

Sir Alex Ferguson's revamped Champions were afforded a second run out after the 3-0 swamping of Spurs last Monday.

The real measure of the new-look Reds was on the bench where the strength of the seven was far superior to that of Arsenal and of Fergie’s subs five of them started the Champions League at Wembley against Barcelona.

But why would you alter this side unless you are forced to?

They repaid the faith with a first 45 minute performance, barring a couple of blips, that shouted, ‘Don’t even consider resting us.’

Welbeck’s impressive start to the season sadly turned from triumph to tragedy when he was forced off with a hamstring injury after 34 minutes.

But not before the Mancunian, who opened the scoring last Monday against Tottenham, had shown the value of giving your own products their heads.

Arsenal’s defence is the root of much of the Wenger critics ire and their decidedly hesitant efforts to clear Anderson cheeky dink over the top was seized upon by the lively Welbeck. The striker was more pro-active than Laurent Koscielny as he got his head in to guide the ball over keeper Szczesny.

De Gea might finally want to have the English papers translated for him as the Spaniard brilliantly halted a possible Arsenal comeback.

The new Reds number one has invited some stick with an uncomfortable start to his Old Trafford career for those waiting to pounce. A successful central role in a pivotal moment was just what the 20-year-old needed to lift his spirits.

A clumsy Jonny Evans challenge on Theo Walcott presented de Gea with his opportunity for redemption.

Turning point

His spot kick save from Van Persie should be a turning point for him.

It certainly effectively shut the door on any hopes this fragile Arsenal side had of making a contest of this showpiece.

A minute later it was another of United’s close season investments Young who further emphasised the worth of spending some cash.

His superb curling shot poured salt in the Gunner’s penalty miss wounds.

Rooney continued his goal-a-game start to the campaign with a wonderful free kick after 41 minutes before United allowed their concentration to drift and Walcott the chance to drill in some compensation.

Would the pre-interval injury time goal rock the Reds? Not a bit of it. They were even more supreme in the second period.

Maybe they realised that it was going to take a goal avalanche to ensure neighbours City wouldn’t steal all the national headlines.

The country was set to slaver over the Blues’ White Hart Lane demolition but this was total annihilation that demanded the spotlight.

It was the first time Arsenal had conceded eight goals since 1896 when Loughborough thumped them in the Second Division. United could have inflicted their heaviest ever loss they were so rampant.

Apart from Van Persie slamming in a 74th minute goal it was marvellous one-way traffic and more than one match ball could have been needed to recognise individual achievements.

Rooney got it on his own after a carbon copy second free kick beat Szczesny even though he knew exactly what was coming in the 64thn minute.

Nani cheekily chipped in a fifth, substitute Ji-Sung Park crashed in a sixth and then as the Gunner’s reached desperation point Jenkinson was red carded for a second yellow and Rooney slammed in his hat trick. Young produced another sensational curling shot to complete the riot as United’s players vied for best goal of the game competition.

And from the noisy neighbors

Four-goal hero Edin Dzeko believes there is much more to come from Manchester City after the Blues hammered Tottenham 5-1 at White Hart Lane.

The former Wolfsburg striker was rampant as he and debutant Samir Nasri helped put Spurs to the sword with a ruthless display of attacking football.

Nasri supplied the crosses for Dzeko to score his first two goals and he also played his part in the run up to Sergio Aguero's strike, which made it 4-0 with half an hour to go.

Younes Kaboul headed home a consolation goal for Tottenham, but the afternoon belonged to Dzeko, who clinched his hat-trick with the last kick of the match.

"I think the last time I scored four was for Wolfsburg in Germany," the Bosnia-Herzegovina international said on ESPN.

"Today was something special for me, to score four goals in the Premier League is fantastic.

"I think we're getting better and better. I hope we can improve in the next game and try to win every game."

Nasri added: "This is a tough place to win. I had a good game but the most important thing is we won 5-1 and sent out a signal to other clubs.

"This is just start of the season, it's important to keep our confidence, but I'm convinced we have a great team here and can win things."

[Bettyboo]

Good. I bloody hate Arsenal, and don't much like Tottenham.

[FarangRed]

I would 8 - 2 be an Arsenal fan now

[Bettyboo]

^ good effort. Being an Ipswich fan, I wish you'd put a couple more past them...

[FarangRed]

Credit where its due - not many teams score 2 against us at OT.

[Thormaturge]

It was the first time Arsenal had conceded eight goals since 1896 when Loughborough thumped them in the Second

Finally Manchester United prove themselves to be superior to Loughborough.

[FarangRed]

After reading comments from some of the Arsenal fans, I feel very sorry for those guys. But I don't think sacking Wenger is solution for your problems. You CANNOT get any better manager than him - his results at Arsenal are speaking their own language. He is longest serving manager in PL behind Fergie. He has won Arsenal so many trophies. The transfers away from Arsenal has effected Arsenal badly - if you are gonna sell anyone, IT HAS TO BE DONE BEFORE THE SEASON START!!! If you are gonna buy someone it HAS TO BE BEFORE the season start. Arsneal failed on both. Wenger has not been able to strengthend his squad in time, so it hurt badly. He has a break now to regroup and get his injured player back. But still it is gonna be a very hard season for them.

[The Master Cool]

Credit where its due - not many teams score 2 against us at OT.

Better get used to it.

[Bettyboo]

I used to live among the muppets, and I can tell ya that Arsenal fans are some of the biggest idiots around; no football knowledge, the 'library' was so quiet because of their lack of passion - usually only start shouting when their own player makes an error, talk shite non-stop... hate them...

[billy the kid]

last time arsenal scored 2 at old trafford was 1984.

[Looper]

Couldn't sleep in the hotel lastnight so fortuitous channel flicking brought up this game on a satellite channel 40 minutes into the first half at 3-0. Wasn't worried about sleeping after that. I ain't a Man U fan and don't follow English football that much but what a display. Truly spellbinding.

[Thormaturge]

"It was this big"

[Sailing into trouble]

Just been watching the final day of transfer madness 475 000 000 pounds spent. It is insane. Players switch teams so much, I am surprised they know which ground to turn up at on match day!

Prediction

Top three teams will be Chelsea and the Manchester team and Salford team. Too tight to call what order.
Liverpool solid fourth and Arsenal and Totingham fighting for fifth.

WIgan of course will be in trouble again. However they and the rest of the EPL teams will be engaged in the challenge of not letting Fergies babes get into double figures!