Man. United Closer To Title After Hargreaves Winner Against Arsenal

United moved powerfully towards retaining the title with this tremendous victory against old rivals Arsenal on an afternoon of high drama at Old Trafford.

Owen Hargreaves scored the winner with a fabulous free-kick after Cristiano Ronaldo cancelled out Emmanuel Adebayor's opener early in the second half. But every man in a red shirt, not just those on the scoresheet, played their part in this priceless triumph.

Hargreaves and Ji-sung Park had retained their places in midfield after impressing in midweek against Roma but Carlos Tevez had to settle for a berth on the bench, with Sir Alex Ferguson selecting Wayne Rooney as a lone striker.

Arsenal’s side showed two significant changes to the defence which conceded four goals at Anfield in the Champions League quarter-final. German goalkeeper Jens Lehmann made a surprise return, with Manuel Almunia presumably injured, while Alexandre Song made a rare start at centre-back after Senderos’ poor show against Liverpool.

The Gunners made a lively start and after Adebayor’s run was halted by Rio Ferdinand on the edge of the area, Cesc Fabregas rifled a venomous shot just over the bar. Wes Brown will not want to see a replay after gifting the ball to Fabregas, one of three men nominated for both the PFA’s senior and young player awards.

Another double nominee is United’s Cristiano Ronaldo, of course - his first crack at goal was a free-kick which struck the wall.

Ferdinand was again called upon to block an Adebayor effort and another attempt from Gilberto was stopped when the second of two Arsenal corners in quick succession was punched less than convincingly by Edwin van der Sar. The Dutchman did better on the deck when Adebayor next threatened, diving to his right to hold a low shot.

The frenetic end-to-end pace was stretching the play and Brown fell foul of it when he caught Clichy late and was booked for a foul on the Arsenal left-back. Brown was later on the receiving end when the combative van Persie earned his yellow card.

Park missed with a header from Hargreaves’ left-wing cross and Rooney fired a shot narrowly wide of Lehmann’s right-hand post. The United striker went even closer moments later when Ronaldo beat Song on the byline and pulled the ball back – this time Lehmann had to stick out a leg to divert the shot wide.

No such intervention was required from van der Sar when Adebayor launched his next shot high into the Stretford End, nor when Gilberto sliced wide. It was open season for shooting, with Arsenal’s lack of accuracy perhaps the saving grace for some generous defending on United’s part. And even when Adebayor’s albeit tame shot was on target after being put through by Hleb, van der Sar claimed it.

Arsenal’s best chance to score was immediately followed by another near-miss from Rooney, with Lehmann again deflecting his shot for a corner.

The Gunners caused the Stretford End to hold its breath once more before the break as Fabregas curled a low ball into the box for Adebayor, only for van der Sar to pounce. The away fans were then relieved to see Lehmann make his latest save from Rooney.

The second half opened like the first had finished – with chances at both ends, only this time, they were converted by the two sides’ top scorers. Firstly Adebayor met van Persie’s left-wing cross to give Arsenal the lead from close range. It appeared at first glance to be a clean header but TV replays suggested the ball went in off the striker's arm.

Fortunately Ronaldo returned fire for the Reds within six minutes, scoring his 38th goal of the season from the penalty spot. Even the need for a retake - following encroachment by a United player - didn't faze Cristiano. He merely blasted the ball past Lehmann for a second time, with the keeper's woe compounded by a yellow card for gamesmanship.

The roar greeting the equaliser was deafening, as if the reality of what was at stake in this even contest had suddenly grabbed the home fans by their vocal chords.

Sir Alex made a double change in the 55th minute as Tevez and Anderson replaced Park and Scholes. The subs were soon in the thick of the action, notably when Anderson was scythed down by Adebayor who was booked, just before Tevez hit a tremendous effort just past the post. At the other end, Fabregas scooped a shot over the bar.

United were also a threat to themselves at the old Scoreboard End – Brown deflected Clichy’s cross onto a post; earlier van der Sar stopped Ferdinand from scoring an own goal. But these anxious moments were all but forgotten 18 minutes from time when Hargreaves produced his glorious party-piece, curling a free-kick over the wall and inside the left-hand post with Lehmann rooted to the spot.

Ecstasty exploded around the stadium as the jubilant United players came together to celebrate a decisive moment in the title race – one can only wonder what curses were being uttered meanwhile in West London. Arsenal were doing Chelsea a favour at 0-1, even 1-1 – but now the Reds were back in control of their title quest.

The Gunners tried in vain to keep their season alive - substitute striker Nicklas Bendtner had one late header saved by van der Sar while another struck the post - but United were not to be denied three precious points after fighting so hard to claim them.

United: Van der Sar; Brown, Pique, Ferdinand, Evra; Park (Tevez, 55), Carrick, Hargreaves (Giggs, 89), Scholes (Anderson, 55), Ronaldo; Rooney.

Subs not used: Kuszczak, O'Shea.

Booked: Brown, Carrick.

Arsenal: Lehmann, Toure (Hoyte, 85), Gallas, Song, Clichy, Eboue (Walcott, 61), Gilberto, Fabregas, Hleb; Van Persie (Bendtner, 76), Adebayor.

Subs: Fabianski, Djourou.

Booked: Lehmann, Gallas, Hleb, Van Persie, Adebayor, Hoyte.

Attendance: 75,985

Cristiano Ronaldo is shadowed by three Arsenal players during the frantic start at Old Trafford

United are frustrated by the London side with Wayne Rooney struggling to shake off the advances of Arsenal's Emmanuel Eboue

Gunners keeper Jens Lehman makes a fine save to deny Rooney as United start to create a number of openings in front of goal

Arsenal take the lead just after the break as Emmanuel Adebayor bundles the ball into the United net in the 48th minute

The hosts equalise in the 54th minute as Ronaldo fires home the penalty after William Gallas handles in the box

The penalty is Ronaldo's 38th goal of an amazing season in which he has emerged as one of the best players in world football

Old Trafford erupts as Owen Hargreaves sends a delightful free-kick over the Arsenal wall and into the net in the 72nd minute