On reaching 87 points, the European champions opened an unassailable seven-point lead over closest rivals Liverpool, who have two games to go.

United equaled Liverpool's record of winning 18 English league titles.

Arsenal remained fourth on 69 points.

Arsenal hitman Emmanuel Adebayor was ruled out with a hamstring injury, so Robin van Persie played as a sole striker with Andrei Arshavin behind him.

There was no Rio Ferdinand in the starting line-up for United as well, as Jonny Evans continued to deputize for the injured defender.

Improving Arsenal

The first half was equally contested, with Arsenal looking by far a better side than that who got spanked at home by United ten days ago in the Champions League.

Van Persie should have put the visitors in front on 14 minutes, but the Dutchman squandered an easy header over the bar.

Wayne Rooney returned the favor four minutes later when he failed to hit the target with a free header from Michael Carrick's precise cross.

Arsenal were increasingly alerting for United, who looked susceptible without Ferdinand in defense at times, whilst the Gunners had nothing to lose.

Arsene Wenger's side maintained their control of possession, but the hosts were always threatening thanks to the pace of Cristiano Ronaldo and Carlos Tevez.

However, Sir Alex Ferguson surprisingly took off Tevez, much to the frustration of the Red Devils' fans, who booed the decision and chanted 'Argentina' in support of the departing striker.

Ronaldo remained to be United's main source of danger though and the Portuguese saw his 79th minute freekick going agonizingly wide of Lukasz Fabianski's left post.

Six minutes from time, Arsenal skipper Cesc Fabregas had a chance to spoil the day for United, but his close-range effort was denied by the post.