Source: Daily_Mail
Sir Alex Ferguson salutes five-star Manchester United after Emirates romp
Sir Alex Ferguson saluted Manchester United's all-star performance againstArsenal at the Emirates Stadium and challenged his side to keep the samestandard until the end of the season. The United manager believes the 3-1 demolition of the Gunners was his side'sbest display of the campaign. And, while he singled out Wayne Rooney and Nani as the players who caught theeye, he was equally effusive about United's defence. Fergie's phenomenons: Rooney and Co during the demolition of ArsenalFerguson said: 'Wayne is fantastic. He was world class again. Every time theball went towards him, we were on the attack. He turned the defenders so manytimes. It was a really top performance.'Jonny Evans is a fantastic player and Wes (Brown), considering all theinjuries he has had in his career, is an unbelievable defender. He has donewell. He was sick at half-time. He had been feeling unwell.' Rooney and Ji-Sung Park scored United's goals after Nani's chip had been palmedinto the Arsenal net by goalkeeper Manuel Almunia.Star pair: Nani and Wes Brown earned special praise from FergusonWhile Thomas Vermaelen scored a late consolation for Arsenal, Ferguson revealedhis side were sparked into such an impressive display by their pulsating victoryagainst Manchester City in the Carling Cup semi-final last Wednesday. Now he is hoping Arsenal can do United a favour by going to Stamford Bridge onSunday and beating Chelsea, whose lead at the top of the Premier League is nowdown to a single point, albeit with a game in hand. Ferguson said: 'It gives us all a good boost. There is no question about that.We have a lot of tough games coming up. We hope Arsenal take points off Chelseanext Sunday.'We will be rooting for Arsenal. Now we need to show real consistency to theend of the season. It has been a great week. This was the best performance of the season. 'We were galvanised by theperformance on Wednesday. They were ready for it. They were really up for it.Their mental sharpness was fantastic. 'When you play Arsenal you have to take your opportunities because they are avery good team and our counter-attacking was very good. My big decision was whether to play Paul Scholes or Ryan Giggs. 'I just feltScholesy's composure on the ball would be vital for us.' It proved that way, although the man of the match came from a more unlikelysource in the shape of Portuguese winger Nani.Ferguson insisted Nani had produced his finest display in a United shirt andpraised his growing maturity. Mastermind: Sir Alex Ferguson'The boy has come back after injury and has freshened up,' Ferguson said. 'His last three games have been absolutely first class but this was his best.Maturity is why we're seeing the best of him now. He's a very shy boy and maybe his personality is getting stronger.' French giants PSG fail with loan swoop for Manchester United misfit AndersonTRANSFER DEADLINE DAY LIVE: Spurs hunt a keeper, Man City to bolster midfield, and everyone wants a striker - all the deals and drama as they happen Gunners legend Thierry Henry hails United's red hot marksman Rooney