At best, United were functional, something which has been levelled at them since Cristiano Ronaldo left in 2009.
And Sir Alex Ferguson did nothing to counter those accusations in this game, with seven natural defenders starting.
Twins Fabio and Rafael da Silva were the wingers, with John O'Shea deployed in a central midfield role.
But they did the job they set out to do. They may not be pretty to watch, but they get the job done more often than not.
Arsenal, the poor man's Barcelona, predictably controlled possession but found themselves against a determined two banks of four unwilling to let the Gunners tippy-tap their way past them.
And on the occasions Arsenal did get through, they found the retiring van der Sar in imperious form.
He made a series of point blank saves, the best of which just before United scored their second.
He denied Laurent Koscielny from close range and it seemed like there was nothing Arsenal could do to beat him.
The crowd were chanting "One more year", begging him to revise his retirement plans and play on well into his forties.
And who can blame them? Their best keeper since Peter Schmeichel, there seems no-one around who could suitably replace him.
Tomasz Kuszczak is a decent back-up but that's all. And as for new singing Anders Lindegaard, fellow Dane Schmeichel feels he is simply not up to United's standards.
If United were to look around the Premier League for a replacement, Ben Foster would be an obvious choice. Of course, that one is a no-go due to the marginalisation of Foster during his time at Old Trafford.
He is well-settled now at Birmingham and would be more than reluctant to return, given the hero status he now has in the second city after his match-winning display in the Carling Cup final.
Pepe Reina is another name bandied about by the media, but Liverpool surely wouldn't let him go to their biggest rivals.
That would send out all the wrong messages and is a route their new American owners wouldn't go down.
United would then have to look abroad, probably to Spain, but that would be costly and it would be risky to bring in a young foreign keeper with no experience of the Premier League.
So Sir Alex must persuade van der Sar to stay on for one more year. The Dutchman insists he will not change his mind, so it remains to be seen if Fergie's persuasion techniques are still working.
Vidic and Smalling were solid at the back, and Wayne Rooney looked like something resembling the player he once was but United still seem to be missing a certain something.
Obviously, Nani's absence affected them, as well as the 'resting' of Ryan Giggs and Paul Scholes, but United could do with signing a flair player in the summer.
Someone like Gareth Bale or Wesley Sneijder, with the ability to get people off their seats with their play. Although they're winning, they just seem too mechanical at the moment.
Scholes did come off the bench for a ten-minute cameo, picking up a booking when he could so easily have seen red.
Two needless, horrible challenges from the midfielder could and perhaps should have seen red, both were potential leg-breakers.
As is often the case with Manchester United players, referee Chris Foy bottled it and decided against suitable action.
Scholes' challenges were unnecessary and he could have had no complaints had Foy produced a red.
Antonio Valencia's second-half display after coming off the bench was a major plus point for United, he is a player they could really need in the run-in.
As for Arsenal, this may go down as another season where Arsene Wenger's side promise a lot and yet deliver very little.
For years now we have heard the same old excuse - "the side is young and learning" - but how much longer can this be valid? Until they enter the field of play with zimmer frames?
They pass and pass and pass but can't finish moves off and will only have themselves to blame if this season is another trophyless one.
Jack Wilshere and Johan Djourou have been the only glimmers of hope for Arsenal fans in recent weeks, but now Djourou seems set for a spell on the sidelines with a serious-looking shoulder injury. He is definitely out for the rest of the season.
The team, although depleted with injuries, need to sort themselves out now. The league title is still there for the taking if they can channel cup frustrations into their league performances.
As for today's other cup quarter-final, a big well done to Owen Coyle's Bolton for their 3-2 win at Birmingham.
Coyle's men have been a joy to watch all season and a trip to Wembley is the least they deserve.
He has worked wonders with them, and their success this season more than vindicates his decision to leave Burnley to join Wanderers last winter.
They have the talent to go all the way, and would be very popular winners if they lift the trophy at Wembley in May.
He'll not sign a new deal. He wants to be with his family.
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