Asked what he thought about the bad tempered start to the game, Ferguson told Sky Sports News: “I didn’t think the Arsenal players handled the referee well. They were surrounding him in numbers and it just creates havoc.”

In the past United players have been accused of intimidating officials during games – most notably when a posse of players swarmed around Andy D’Urso during a league game against Middlesbrough.

Ferguson admitted Ryan Giggs’ glaring miss just before half-time, when he had an open goal in front of him but scooped the ball over the crossbar, had been the turning point of the game.

“We were unlucky because he (Giggs) had done the hardest thing in getting round the keeper and the defender but couldn’t finish it,” added Ferguson

Edu’s deflected free-kick gave the Gunners the lead and, after Sylvain Wiltord made it 2-0, they never looked in danger of surrendering the tie.

“At 2-0 down it was always going to be difficult,” said Ferguson. “They just sat and counter attacked after that and credit to them.”

Ferguson is hoping the Gunners have not gained a psychological advantage over United from today’s win that carries through into the remainder of the Premiership title race.

“It’s up to us to do something about that,” said Ferguson. “The only good thing about bad results like today’s is that it eases the programme a good bit for us.

“We don’t have to worry about the FA Cup. We can concentrate on the league and Champions League.”

United also have a Worthington Cup final meeting with Liverpool to come and could still land a Treble despite the disappointment of today’s defeat.