Manchester United vs. Arsenal: Why United Could Be Better Than Last Year

It is only the third weekend and Sir Alex Ferguson's Manchester United team has put many questions to rest.

People wondered if they should have dipped into the transfer market more. It seems they did just enough.

Others wondered how the young players were going to fit into this squad, especially Phil Jones. Well the young players have taken the reigns and brought in even more flare to an already strong United side.

This Manchester United side in time could prove to be beyond anything that the Red Devils could muster up last season.

Manchester United took a wounded Arsenal side and did not allow a fair fight. Many would never feel that an Arsene Wenger-managed side would be beat in the fashion that they were today.

The game was not a testament to how fall Arsenal has fallen but instead to the strength of this Manchester United side.

Here are three reasons that this campaign will be even stronger for Manchester United as they take their 20^th title.

Ashley Young

Ashley Young is a highly regarded winger, of whom many managers were battling to get a signature.  Ferguson enticed the winger away from Aston Villa.

Young’s speed and ability to send in crosses and find players to link up with on the wing is pivotal. It has allowed United to stretch teams out of position.

With Nani on one wing and Young on the other, the two draw the attention of the outside backs and midfielders alike which allows space for the center midfielders to orchestrate the fluid offensive movement seen thus far this season.

Ferguson has shown that he does not have to splurge and buy many players in the transfer market to vastly improve his team. He understands his team and the tactics he intends to deploy.

Young will continue to be a pivotal player during this Premier League campaign as long as he is injury-free.

Young Strikers

Last season Javier Hernandez proved the genius of Ferguson. Not many fans knew of Chicharito outside of Mexico.

Hernandez was able to break into the starting XI last season beating a proven Premier League scorer, Dimitar Berbatov, for the spot.

Very few saw this coming but it became clear that the young striker was going to be a big part of Ferguson’s plans when he started in the Champion’s League Finals.

Now with Danny Welbeck's growth after his season long loan at Sunderland, he has shown early on this season that he can be a high impact player for Manchester United this season.

He scored another goal before having to leave the game in the 35^th minute with a hamstring injury.

Supporters shouldn't forget about Federico Macheda either.  The young Italian may have to go on loan again this season because the strike force at United is that strong.

Touting Macheda's talents, Ferguson has spoken highly of the striker saying, “He's quick thinking and goalscorers have that quality. He's got the instinct.”

The young Italian is a player for the future who will likely contribute timely goals that help United during tough times this season.

Wayne Rooney’s Form

Wayne Rooney scored a hat trick today against Arsenal, showing why he is one of the most important players for Manchester United. Without Wayne Rooney the fire that is in the Red Devils would not burn as hot.

With all the youthful exuberance that is being displayed among the high flying United players, there needs to be a player that anchors it all and Rooney is the man to do that job.

He does all the work that is asked and more. He is a striker that can be found at times recovering for midfielders and even defenders who make mistakes.

Teamed with his fire and aggression, his grit will keep his team in any game and motivate the players around him.  Rooney may be in the best form of his career and this is a big reason why Manchester United is better then they were last season.