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Fergie sends a warning to title rivals
(China Daily)
Updated: 2009-08-31 12:37

LONDON: Sir Alex Ferguson believes Manchester United's 2-1 victory over Arsenal should send a warning to his side's league title rivals.

Although United won the English league last season, they struggled in their showdowns with Liverpool and Arsenal.

Liverpool defeated Ferguson's men twice while Arsenal took four points off the champions.

With that record in mind, Ferguson was delighted to see his side fight back from a goal down to beat the Gunners at Old Trafford on Saturday.

"When you are 1-0 down to a team of Arsenal's class it's an uphill task," Ferguson said. "We had to dig deep but we played really well in the second half and deserved to win.

"The players know winning big games is important. Last season we lost four points to Arsenal and six to Liverpool. Now we've got off to a better start against the bigger teams. That can make a difference."

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Arsene Wenger's side were well on top after taking the lead through Andrey Arshavin's superb strike late in the first half.

But the champions were handed a lifeline soon after halftime when Arsenal goalkeeper Manuel Almunia needlessly conceded a penalty that Wayne Rooney converted.

It got worse for Arsenal as French midfielder Abou Diaby headed a Ryan Giggs freekick into his own net five minutes later to give United their third win in four games.