Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson bemoaned his side's failure to put away the chances created against Arsenal, despite his side scoring a 2-1 win in their English Premier League game.
United went 2-0 up through goals from Robin Van Persie and Patrice Evra, but between the two goals the home side missed a bunch of chances including a penalty for Wayne Rooney and a tap-in for Antonio Valencia.
Santi Cazorla pulled one back for the Gunners in the final minute of the game, as United saw off the Arsenal challenge. Ferguson, however, was worried by the amount of chances missed by his side. "It looked as if it was going to be self destruction," Ferguson told the club's official website. "It only takes a second to lose a goal.
"They had some possession without really threatening us, but thank god we got the second one because the fact they scored right on full-time would have been an embarrassment.
"It was a strange game and the chances we missed... well, we should have put the game to bed a long, long time ago. If you see the scoreline you'd think it was a close game, but it wasn't.
"There was a lack of urgency in our game throughout. We were far too casual. It was an unusual Manchester United-Arsenal game. There were a lot of bookings but it never really got anywhere near the Manchester United-Arsenal games of the past.
"I was just really disappointed in our ability to hammer home the advantage. I spoke about goal difference to the players at the start of the season. We lost (the title) on goal difference last season and I don't want to see that again. We had an opportunity to add to the goal tally today."
Ferguson also took time to praise his new recruit Van Persie, who scored against his former club. "It was good for Robin to get the goal and he took it very well," he added. "I thought he was fantastic today -- his movement and his penetration were brilliant.
"He did the right thing (not celebrating his goal). He had eight great years at Arsenal and he respects that and I thought the Arsenal fans were fine too."
