Arsenal. Average: 5.7

Stuart Taylor: Stepped in for number one David Seaman, who was missing with a cold. Could do little to prevent either goal and his handling looked solid when called upon.

Lauren: The Cameroon international looked comfortable early on, but he struggled to keep a hold of Giggs in the latter stages and that prevented him getting forward.

Ashley Cole: Came more into the game in the second half and set up Arsenal's first with an energetic run down the left and a shot that hit Henry and beat Barthez.

Sol Campbell: Was left for dead by Van Nistelrooy for the opening goal and blotted his copybook by getting sent-off for a needless elbow on Solskjaer late on.

Martin Keown: The dependable Keown rarely let his side down, but he was not able to keep as tight a reign on Van Nistelrooy as he has in the past.

Fredrik Ljungberg: Plenty of energy and willingness to get back and help out the defence, but that meant he was rarely a factor going forward.

Patrick Vieira: Was a doubt for the game but manager Arsene Wenger decided to risk him and the gamble failed. He looked far from his best and was replaced midway through the first half.

Gilberto: Came more into the game after the break but was often on the backfoot as the United midfield dominated.

Robert Pires: The French flyer did not see as much of the ball as the Gunners would have liked. Had a couple of nice runs but not at his best.

Thierry Henry: His two goals swung the game in Arsenal's favour before Giggs' equaliser. He knew little about the first and his second looked offside, but he will not mind as he joined James Beattie at the top of the scoring charts.

Dennis Bergkamp: The Dutchman struggled to make any sort of impact in the game and it was little surprise when he was withdrawn with 15 minutes to go.

Edu (replaced Vieira): Took over from Vieira in the first half and did not do a lot wrong, but could make little impact for the champions.

Sylvain Wiltord (replaced Bergkamp): Was not on long enough to earn a rating.

Kanu (replaced Pires): Was not on long enough to earn a rating.

Manchester United Average: 6.6

Fabian Barthez: Rarely called upon other than to pick the ball out of the net twice in the second half, but he made a fine late save to deny Henry a hat-trick.

Wes Brown: Looked clumsy on the ball at times and often appeared to be United's weak link at the back. Soldiered on despite needing stitches for a head cut.

John O'Shea: Seems to be growing in confidence with every game. He was rarely tested by Ljungberg and was a constant menace down the left in the United attack before being forced off at half-time.

Rio Ferdinand: A much better performance from the man who has struggled to live up to his �30m price tag. Nothing fancy but kept his concentration throughout and did well against Bergkamp and Henry.

Mikael Silvestre: Did well to keep Henry from running wild in the opening half but was not as successful after the break.

Roy Keane: Like Vieira he was a doubt for the game but Sir Alex Ferguson will be pleased with the way he stamped his authority on the game. He was booked for a late challenge on Ljungberg.

Nicky Butt: A typically solid performance from the combative midfielder. He combined well with Keane to dominate the centre, but rarely offered much going forward.

Paul Scholes: Uncharacteristically missed a glorious chance in the early stages when he got on the end of a Solskjaer cross and headed wide.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer: Looked bright early on after earning his place ahead of David Beckham. Put in some dangerous balls from the right and finished brightly.

Ryan Giggs: Combined well with Van Nistelrooy for the first goal and then headed in the second - a lively performance from the winger-turned-striker.

Ruud van Nistelrooy: The Dutchman missed an early half chance but responded with a stunning opening goal. He left Campbell for dead before heading in on goal and slotting home easily.

Gary Neville (replaced O'Shea): Came on at half-time and was forced to spend much of the second period in an unfamiliar left-back role, but he rarely looked out of place.