Sunday 28 August
Manchester United's Ashley Young produced two exquisite finishes and revelled in the space and astonishing naivety of the Arsenal back line. Photograph: Alex Livesey/Getty Images
Manchester United
David de Gea
Every United player congratulated him on the penalty save, the Stretford End sang his name after a fine double-block, but he should not have allowed Walcott's goal through his legs 7
Chris Smalling
His enforced conversion to right‑back continues to pay rich dividends. Attacked Traoré at every opportunity and was alert to the few threats that came his way 8
Phil Jones
Composed in possession, strong in the challenge and, with the exception of a few wayward headers, completely dominated Van Persie 7
Jonny Evans
The focus has been on Jones and Smalling this season but the Northern Ireland defender looks much improved and provides a good vocal presence 8
Patrice Evra
Added to Jenkinson's unease on the counterattack but guilty of several lapses in concentration, one of which led to Arsenal's consolation 6
Nani
Over-elaboration earned him the wrath of Rooney but, as his final, exquisite touch of the game demonstrated, it did not dispirit the showman7
Anderson
Provided further evidence that the imposing, intelligent central midfielder that United thought they had purchased has finally arrived 8
Tom Cleverley
Dovetailed perfectly with Anderson in central midfield. Took an accidental elbow in the eye from Rosicky but relished the contest 8
Ashley Young
Produced two exquisite finishes and revelled in the space and astonishing naivety of the Arsenal back‑line 9
Danny Welbeck
Ferguson rightly kept faith in the forward and was repaid with another purposeful, goalscoring contribution until injury cruelly struck 7
Wayne Rooney
Left to his own devices throughout and duly punished Arsenal, two fine free-kicks beyond Szczesny – neither with back-lift – plus a penalty 9
Substitutes
Javier Hernández (for Welbeck, 35) 7
Park Ji-sung (for Nani, 68) 7
Ryan Giggs (for Anderson, 68) 6
Arsenal
Wojciech Szczesny
Finally established as No1 and beaten eight times without once being at fault. Who would be an Arsenal keeper behind this defence? 6
Carl Jenkinson
No protection in front of him, no guidance to the side of him and gave a hapless display as a consequence. Rightly dismissed 3
Johan Djourou
Feeble challenge on Welbeck for United's opening goal illustrated everything that is wrong with this Arsenal team. No character whatsoever3
Laurent Koscielny
Made a few timely interceptions but another lightweight centre-half who raises serious questions about Arsenal's transfer policy 4
Armand Traoré
At least Jenkinson could offer inexperience as an excuse for his tactical indiscipline. Granted Nani and Smalling the freedom of Old Trafford 3
Aaron Ramsey
It took a hard heart not to feel sympathy for the young midfielder, who at least tried to take the game to United but had no outlet 6
Francis Coquelin
A dreadful day to make your league debut, and especially in this company. Overcame a nervous start but was overrun in the second half5
Tomas Rosicky
Delivered several incisive passes into the United penalty area but not the industry or fight that the Arsenal midfield desperately required 5
Theo Walcott
Scored one and made the most of Evans's pull to win the penalty but gradually lost his appetite for a losing cause and faded badly 5
Robin van Persie
Captain in armband only. His head dropped from the moment De Gea saved his penalty and lifted only to bury Arsenal's second goal 4
Andrey Arshavin
Wasted a great chance to make it 2-3, fortunate to avoid a second yellow card and appeared averse to passing to Ramsey throughout 4
Substitutes
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain (for Coquelin, 62) 6
Marouane Chamakh (for Van Persie, 83)
Henri Lansbury (for Walcott, 83)
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