O'Shea strike gives United win

The defender's nerveless 17th-minute effort was the least Sir Alex Ferguson's side deserved for a near faultless display, in which Manuel Almunia made a quartet of stunning saves and Cristiano Ronaldo rattled the Gunners' crossbar.

In addition, Ryan Giggs had a goal controversially disallowed for offside on his 800th appearance, meaning Arsenal headed home glad to still have a chance of reaching Rome on May 27.

United would have been in front with only a minute on the clock had Almunia not managed to claw away a looping Wayne Rooney header that seemed destined to drop in. It proved to be the sign of things to come for Arsenal, who were pulled apart at regular intervals.

The Spaniard pulled off two splendid stops in the space of a minute to deny Ronaldo. His first was the pick, parrying a firm header from point-blank range after Carlos Tevez had crossed. A curling shot from the boot of the Ballon D'Or winner followed shortly afterwards which Almunia was also equal to.

A close-range effort from Tevez, saved by Almunia, that proved to be the prelude to United's opener. Anderson's corner fell kindly for Michael Carrick at the far post, with the England star electing for a firmly driven cross into the six-yard box.

Against his former club, Mikael Silvestre was eager to make a positive impression. That did not include deflecting the ball to O'Shea. Leaning back, the Irishman crashed his shot into the roof of Almunia's net.

If Arsenal thought the second half at least gave them an opportunity to enjoy a more even share of possession and chances, they were mistaken.

A rocket shot from Ronaldo cannoned away for a corner off Silvestre, Anderson blazed over from the edge of the area and a thunderous 25-yard effort from Ronaldo smacked the crossbar as United strained every sinew in their search for a second.

In response, Cesc Fabregas was off target with a couple of half-chances, Emmanuel Adebayor's volley flew over and substitute Nicolas Bendtner might well have equalised with a header from the free-kick that caused the collision which forced Rio Ferdinand off with what seemed like a rib injury.