Robin Van Persie scored against his former club as Manchester United comfortably saw off Arsenal 2 - 1 at Old Trafford.

The Dutchman opened the scoring after only three minutes when he rasped in a shot after a horrendous mis-control from Thomas Vermaelen.

The Red Devils should have gone into the break 2 - 0 up when they were awarded a penalty after Santi Cazorla handled an Ashley Young cross.

But Wayne Rooney failed from the spot, clattering his shot off the post.

Mission impossible

Arsenal could have equalized early in the second half when Santi Cazorla found Olivier Giroud in the box but he saw the ball strike the outside of the post.

However it was United who scored next as Patrice Evra headed in a Rooney corner in the 67th minute.

And Arsenal"s task became near impossible as Jack Wilshere was sent off for a bookable offence three minutes later, in his second match back.

The Gunners did get a consolation with the last kick of the game as Cazorla twisted brilliantly in the box and curled into David De Gea"s top corner.

It was too little too late, as Man United go top, with Arsenal nine points further back.