Arsene Wenger thankful to Manchester United for 'very classy' farewell gesture

The Arsenal manager was presented with a memento by his old rival and great friend Sir Alex Ferguson before the game

Wenger's last trip to Old Trafford ended in defeat (Manchester United)

Arsene Wenger joked that “people love you” when you are no longer a danger, after expressing gratitude to the Old Trafford crowd for the reception on his last trip there as Arsenal manager, describing Manchester United’s tribute to him as “very classy”. The French great however said it is the nature of the job that the “painful memories” stand out more, as he was forced to reflect on another following a late 2-1 defeat. Wenger admitted that Marouane Fellaini’s 91st-minute winner “destroyed” his makeshift young team, despite a “positive” performance.

The Arsenal manager had been presented with a memento by his old rival and great friend Sir Alex Ferguson before the game, setting the tone for a day when he was mostly greeted very warmly.

He had been asked whether he could enjoy the occasion, or is it still just a football match?

“It is a match, a result,” Wenger said. “I am programmed to try and win football games but I don’t think that changes. I am disappointed. I am thankful to Man United because they had a nice gesture. It is the first time I get a trophy before a game. It is very classy from them.

Wenger was met by Ferguson and Mourinho before the game (Getty)

“I haven’t looked at it [the memento, properly] yet. It was just before the game so there wasn’t time. I want to have a glass of red wine with Sir Alex because it is always good wine.”

Asked about the applause he received, Wenger joked: “Once you are not a danger any more, people love you!”

“We had a very young team and the performance was positive. The players are destroyed because they gave everything and were caught in the final minute. There were many question marks if we would be strong enough to fight but the quality was good the spirit was good, many players stood up. We tired a bit in the last 20 minutes and were a bit more under pressure. It was a negative result and a positive performance.”

Jose Mourinho had said he hopes to meet Wenger again, but the French great doubted it would be next season, as he steps into the “unknown”.

“I don’t know, honestly. He will be at Man United next year certainly and I don’t know where I will be. I have worked at a top level for 35 years without any interruption and I think I am the only one who has done that. I am in unknown territory, will I take a break? I will be surprised if I meet him next year.”

As regards the future for Arsenal, Wenger praised the performance of youngster Ainsley Maitland-Niles.

Fellaini condemned Wenger's Arsenal to defeat (AFP)

“When Niles gets to the player he can be, defensive midfield and he can create as well and he has shown in training top quality but you don’t know if he will show it in a game. The big players do better in a game than training. He surprised everybody by his quality.

“My successor will watch this game and hopefully he will come to a positive conclusion because I think they [the young players] are the future of Arsenal, some 100 percent.”

Finally asked about his memories of Old Trafford, Wenger said: “That is too quick for me to think about, certainly when we won the championship. Unfortunately in my job, you remember much better the defeats and I have some painful memories.”