Although there is so much to be admired in Arsene Wenger's football philosophy, it is not too unfair surely to argue that in recent times he seems more consumed by the aesthetic than the result. As Alex Ferguson's tactical excellence blew a hole in Arsenal's tenuous title credentials at the Emirates, the thought occurred that while Wenger may well excel when it comes to creating beautiful football, Ferguson is still the daddy when it comes to the winning variety.
Sunday was a tactical masterclass from Ferguson. Clearly, United went into the match accepting that Arsenal would boss possession, and their tactical response to that likelihood was tellingly successful.
Employing a flexible 4-5-1 formation (becoming a rapier 4-3-3 when in possession) Ferguson flooded the midfield, looking to upset Arsenal's tight lines of communication. Lying deep, with his full-backs lying more defensively than usual, United played on the break with clinical precision.
In point of fact, United appeared to exploit every Arsenal weakness - from their lack of physical presence up front to the space behind their gung-ho full-backs. Jonny Evans and Wes Brown were largely untroubled by an Arsenal attack far too often channelled down the middle - swatting aside the sporadic, diminutive threats of the darting Samir Nasri, Tomas Rosicky and Andriy Arshavin.
And it was a case of two's company, but three's a crowd in central midfield where the workrate and diligence of Michael Carrick and Darren Fletcher in front of the back four smothered the Arsenal midfield's probing, allowing Paul Scholes to orchestrate United's breaks and pick holes in the increasingly slapdash Arsenal rearguard.
Park and Nani - hardly Old Trafford pin-up boys - showed their worth by playing significant roles in the performance. Park worked tirelessly to snuff out Bacary Sagna's surges, while Nani cruelly exposed the space behind the rusty gael Clichy. Meanwhile, Wayne Rooney lead the line superbly - all brains, brawn and searing, incisive pace. Arsenal simply had no answer.
It will be very interesting to see how Wenger's team react to such a chastening experience. In fairness to them, they responded very positively to a similar pasting at the hands of Chelsea late last year. They are not yet out of the title race, but such a body blow will have those scrabbling for Champions League places behind them hoping that a winded Arsenal may struggle to get back up off the canvas.
A bigger question hangs over the Emirates though - just how long can Arsenal and Wenger afford to focus so much effort on the beautifully intricate? If Wenger gets the balance wrong, the winning varieties of the game will continue to see the likes of United and Chelsea rule the Premier League roost.
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