Last-gasp joy comes at a price

MANCHESTER United were left counting the cost of getting off to a winning start in the first of “four massive away games” manager Sir Alex Ferguson believes could decide the Barclays Premier League title race.

The reigning champions delivered the perfect response to Manchester City’s last–gasp victory over Tottenham by beating Arsenal 2–1 at the Emirates Stadium.

But victory came at what could be a heavy price ahead of Saturday’s FA Cup showdown at Liverpool, with Phil Jones, Nani, Wayne Rooney and Michael Carrick all leaving London with injuries.

Jones was today set to learn the extent of the ankle ligament damage which saw him carried off inside 17 minutes, with Ferguson fearing the defender was likely to be sidelined for “a few weeks”.

Nani boarded the team bus wearing a protective boot on his right foot, Rooney also limped his way out of the stadium and Carrick played through the pain of a hamstring strain.

“It’s not good news for us,” said Ferguson, who was already without Rio Ferdinand, Anderson, Tom Cleverley, Ashley Young, Michael Owen and long–term absentees Darren Fletcher and Nemanja Vidic.

“I think Jones will be out for a few weeks — it’s ankle ligaments. Carrick was feeling his hamstring in the second half and he just had to sit in the middle of the pitch.”

Their sacrifice was not in vain, with the win taking United back to within three points of City.

“It was important to win after City had won their game, but the manner in which we won was the more pleasing thing for me,” Ferguson said, before looking ahead to even tougher trips to Chelsea, Tottenham and City.

“I said before the game that we had four massive away games to come and that’s one out the way. What we need to do is stay on City’s coat–tails.”

Ferguson singled out match–winner Danny Welbeck for special praise after the England frontman scored for the third successive game.

Antonio Valencia had put the Reds in front, before Robin van Persie restored parity for the Gunners.

“Danny was fantastic,” said Ferguson. “His work–rate and movement are great.

“He could have scored five. He was unlucky in that sense, but he’s got the important goal.”

Welbeck revealed United had watched City's win over Spurs in their dressing room.

He said: “We couldn't let it affect us or the way we played – we just played our normal game.”