Ferguson's fury

More individual errors left Ferguson facing another loss

Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson has called the 3-1 defeat by Arsenal "an absolute disaster" and has criticised the individual errors that cost his side dearly.

Ferguson was unstinting in his praise for Arsenal's performance but said his side were well beaten despite two mistakes by goalkeper Fabien Barthez.

I thought the players had already had their warning

Sir Alex Ferguson

Barthez was badly at fault for the second and third goals.

"It was an absolute disaster, we were well beaten, outplayed and that's the main thing," said Ferguson.

"It doesn't matter how the goals were scored, we were well beaten anyway."

The defeat was United's fourth in the league this season and Ferguson also admitted that six was the maximum they could allow during the campaign.

And he also added that a previous 3-1 defeat at Liverpool had obviously not given his team the spur they required.

"I thought the players had already had their warning," said the Scot, who retires from team management at the end of this season.

"I wouldn't say this is our last chance now but we've got a lot of work to do."

Ferguson would also not be drawn on the error by Gary Neville for the first goal.

A keeper, like any other player, has good and bad periods

Arsene Wenger

But Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger defended Barthez, who has become an increasingly beleaguered figure this season.

"A keeper, like any other player, has good and bad periods," said Wenger.

"Barthez is world-class and top-class keepers have missed their kick before.

"At the moment, maybe his confidence has dropped.

"The second Henry goal was difficult for him and maybe it was because the ball was slippery."