Manchester: Darren Fletcher scored twice and Manchester United easily advanced to the FA Cup quarter-finals with a 4-0 victory over Arsenal.
United took an early lead against their Premier League title rival, with Wayne Rooney scoring in the 16th minute and Darren Fletcher doubling the advantage within five minutes.
Facing little resistance from the Gunners, Nani fired in a third goal in the 38th.
There was no way back for Arsenal after Emmanuel Eboue was sent off four minutes into the second half.
A trio of changes made no impact and Fletcher headed in his second goal for the sprightly 11-time cup champion in the 74th.
"It was a really fantastic performance," United manager Alex Ferguson said after his 100th FA Cup match in charge. "The players looked great. They showed tenacity and the passing was terrific."
"We decided to play in the middle of the park and try and control it there, which we did really well."
Wenger criticised the state of the Old Trafford pitch.
"The groundsman was at the level of our players," Wenger joked.
"The pitch is a disgrace," he added. "It's completely unbelievable to have players on the pitch who are worth 20-25 million pounds and you can't make a pass without the ball bouncing."
Recovering from last Sunday's derby defeat to Manchester City in the Premier League, the Red Devils also sent out a strong message that they can claw back the five points keeping Arsenal in top position.
"It shows that when Arsenal come here (in April) they'll have a real game," Ferguson said.
With an eye on midweek Champions League matches, both sides made five changes and started without their top scorers - Cristiano Ronaldo wasn't even on the bench for United and Emmanuel Adebayor was a late substitute for Arsenal.
United travel to Lyon and Arsenal host AC Milan on Wednesday.
Wenger was reduced to the bare bones of a squad, traveling to northern England with just 14 fit outfield players and several with hamstring injuries, including Adebayor.
The Gunners' vulnerability was evident early on as Jens Lehmann denied Anderson's low volley and saved at the feet of Rooney.
Rooney capitalised on United's dominance and free-flowing football with the opening goal.
Nani whipped in a corner, which eventually found Anderson, who headed the ball forward for Rooney to nod home.
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Making his first start in two months, Fletcher doubled the advantage in the 20th.
Released by Anderson, Nani evaded Justin Hoyte to send the ball to the Scotland international who beat Lehmann from close range.
Arsenal tried to carve out an opening at the other end with Patrice Evra blocking Alexander Hleb's fierce volley in the 26th.
The visitors struggled to contain Rooney, who tormented the Arsenal defence despite operating as a lone striker, which often frustrates the England striker.
Rooney struck wide in the 32nd and again outmuscled Toure in the 35th only to drag the shot wide.
Nani was able to produce his celebratory backflip for the first time since October in the 38th.
Michael Carrick launched a deep ball over Arsenal's wayward defence, with William Gallas allowing Nani to power home with a slick, low drive.
Arsenal players were incensed by Nani's extravagant dribbling and tricks with the ball.
"Nani was very good today but it was not needed," Wenger said. "It is a little bit disrespectful, but he wanted to show (off). It can happen to a young player."
Ferguson admonished his 21-year-old Portugal winger in the locker room.
"He shouldn't be doing that," Ferguson said. "In some ways it shows a great deal of courage, that's one part of it, but you don't need to do that and I've had a word with him."
With Wenger making no changes at halftime, Rooney was also denied a second goal in the 46th by Lehmann and a 48th-minute free kick took a deflection.
Hopes of a comeback faded when Eboue was dismissed for his right boot lunge at Evra - a decision Wenger thought was harsh.
"The game was over after the sending off and we never looked like we could come back today," Wenger said.
"It was difficult for the players to swallow today because we looked like we had no physical resources at all to come back into the game."
Ferguson said Gallas should also have been shown the red card for kicking Nani from behind.
Ji-sung Park's final touch let him down when Carrick lofted another deep precision pass forward in the 58th and Rooney's shot was blocked by Lehmann's legs in the 63rd.
It took until Eduardo da Silva's header in the 63rd for Arsenal to come close to threatening Edwin van der Sar's goal.
With 20 minutes to produce an unlikely three goals, Wenger made a trio of substitutions, with Cesc Fabregas, Hleb and Eduardo replaced by the recovering trio of Mathieu Flamini, Philippe Senderos and Adebayor.
Rather than inspiring a consolation goal, United produced the inevitable fourth goal in the 74th with Fletcher doubling his tally.
Replicating the move that produced his first, Hoyte failed to block Nani from whipping the ball in for Fletcher to score with a header at the far post.
Louis Saha, who came back from injury to replace Rooney, was denied one-on-one with Lehmann and was unable to get any power to a late shot.
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