Howard, the American bidding to oust Fabien Barthez as United’s full-time number one, saved from Giovanni van Bronckhorst and Robert Pires to take the first silverware of the season back to Old Trafford.

While today’s main focus will certainly be on Gunners substitute Francis Jeffers, sent off for kicking Phil Neville just 14 minutes after coming off the bench, Ferguson can reflect on the feelgood factor at his club despite this summer’s £25m (€35.5m) sale of Beckham to Real Madrid and Juan Sebastian Veron’s exit to big-spending Chelsea in a £15m (€21.3m) deal.

Thierry Henry’s fine free-kick cancelled out Mikael Silvestre’s fourth goal in 191 appearances for United – but Howard’s heroics clinched United’s first Shield success since 1997.

The good news is expected to continue for United today, with Kleberson’s work permit due to be granted and so enabling him to formally become a Red Devil.

Sir Alex pronounced himself delighted with United’s pre-season tour of the USA and is hoping that break, combined with yesterday’s victory, tees up a more consistent start to the Premiership campaign than witnessed last term.

A dozen months ago, the Old Trafford club mustered just two victories in their first six league games and then endured an autumn stutter which had the critics writing off their championship chances.

Of course, the snipers were proved wrong – and today, assessing the season which begins at home to Bolton on Saturday, Ferguson admitted: “There have been a lot of bad starts for us.

“Pre-seasons can be deceiving but the trip to America was absolutely fantastic for us.

“But we normally have a low-key preparation and not always the best of starts, so it remains to be seen how we handle Bolton on Saturday.

“Hopefully we can get a good start because it would defy our statistics over the years.”

Despite his optimism, Sir Alex still expects a run of bad form by his side - just as he does from their title rivals.

He said: “Mark my words, every team in the top five or six will have a major blip and people will say ‘that’s it, the world’s come to an end.’

“But it happens. It’s a competitive league and you will drop points.”

Ferguson’s preferred team selection for the weekend date with Sam Allardyce’s men did take something of a jolt yesterday.

With Gary Neville already sidelined, his brother Phil – who played at right-back in Cardiff – suffered a muscle strain and is rated “doubtful” by the boss.

And Quentin Fortune, a lively force advancing forward down the left wing yesterday, has a groin injury, something Ferguson described as “a bit of a concern”.

But the main position of interest regarding the United starting 11 concerns the man who will line up between the sticks.

Howard got the nod above Barthez at the Millennium Stadium and Ferguson last night praised the American’s composure and temperament.

But the manager was coy when asked if Howard stood a chance of keeping his place on yesterday’s evidence.

Ferguson laughed and said simply: “There’s always evidence.”

end