Robin van Persie piled on the misery for former club Arsenal as Manchester United went top of the Premier League with a 2-1 victory at Old Trafford yesterday.
Victory in this early kick-off saw United replace Chelsea in first place and that is where they stayed after the European champions were held to a 1-1 draw at Swansea.
In Manchester, Van Persie needed fewer than three minutes to put United in front before Patrice Evra doubled their lead in the 67th minute.
Arsenal's day got worse when midfielder Jack Wilshere, in only his second game back following a long injury lay-off, was sent off for a second bookable offence after he caught Evra on the ankle.
"It was a special day, in the end it was about the game and I think we played well," Van Persie said. "It is the first time ever I have played against a former club, but in the end ... we won it."
United manager Alex Ferguson praised Van Persie's goal and his all-round performance by saying: "It was an ideal start for the Manchester United cause and it was good for Robin. I thought he was fantastic today. His movement, his penetration was fantastic."
Van Persie, playing against Arsenal for the first time since his £24 million (HK$299 million) pre-season move from the Gunners, wasted little time in giving United the lead.
