Owen Hargreaves was delighted with his matchwinning strike for Manchester United in yesterday's 2-1 victory over Arsenal.

The 27-year-old told MUTV: "We had an earlier free-kick and I said 'I'll take that', but Ronny said 'it's too far for you'.

"The second one was a bit closer and it was a good distance for me so I didn't ask him!

"I score goals on counter-attacks, from long distance or free-kicks and if I can get a chance to contribute, I'm very happy with that."

Hargreaves admitted United were stretched too often by the Gunners in the first half, but was pleased with the way the Reds responded after the break.

"I thought it was an open game - too open in the first half," he said. "The distances were too big and there was a lot of running to be done.

"We needed to tighten up a bit in the second half because Arsenal were the better team and made it difficult for us."

Of Cristiano Ronaldo's penalty, Hargreaves added: "He was under huge pressure but it didn't faze him and he didn't doubt himself for a second. That's why he's the best at the moment."