One-up United still have work to do

The Red Devils look certain to go to next week’s second leg without centre back Rio Ferdinand,who has a suspected broken rib after a late scramble in front of the United goal.

“We had chances and their goalkeeper made two or three fantastic saves,” Ferguson said. “The more pleasing aspect is that,before the game I said (to the players) ‘Try and win the game without conceding a goal.’ We’ve done that.”

United’s pressure brought some early chances followed by a goal. Wayne Rooney’s looping header in the second minute was finger-tipped away by Almunia,and a well-worked move ended with O’Shea’s cross to Carlos Tevez,whose close-range shot was well saved by the Gunners keeper.

From the corner,Michael Carrick beat a defender on the left and his cross deflected off Mikael Silvestre to the unmarked O’Shea,who drove the ball into the roof of the net.

Although Arsenal had a spell of possession before halftime,the Gunners did little to worry United goalkeeper Edwin van der Sar,with defenders Ferdinand and Nemanja Vidic firmly in control of striker Emmanuel Adebayor.

Ryan Giggs stretched his record number of appearances for the club to 800 when he came on for Anderson.