First blood went to Arsenal, with Nasri's opener coming midway through the first half after Patrice Evra fouled Bacary Sagna on the right touchline.
Berbatov headed away the free-kick as far as Nasri, who fizzed a volley at goal that took a deflection off Gary Neville to wrong-foot Van der Sar and fly in.
United almost replied when Clichy only just headed wide of his own goal as he tried to clear a free-kick.
Arsenal, meanwhile, tried to counter-attack and Cesc Fabregas shot just wide of the post with one effort, while Van der Sar stuck out a hand to stop Silvestre stabbing home from a corner.
Nasri's second came three minutes after the restart.
Fabregas wriggled around Neville and spotted Nasri unmarked on the penalty area, with the France youngster given enough space to bide his time and lash past Van der Sar.
Ronaldo was presented with a chance to pull a goal back but his finish, after meeting Park's cross with a first-time volley, went just the wrong side of Almunia's post.
Rooney had a header saved by Almunia and he was inches from getting on the end of a Ronaldo cross.
Rafael, on as a substitute, pulled one back with less than a minute left - but Arsenal held on after six minutes of stoppage-time for the win they needed.
QUote from managers
"It was vital to win. I knew today that was a big game for the future of the team. To keep in the race, you need to win big games like that - and it is vital for a young team. I can take criticism. I am in a job where you have to take that. There is only one answer - with your performance on the pitch." - Arsene Wenger |
"It was fans' football - playground stuff. They attacked, we attacked - but they got the goal that mattered. The number of chances we had was incredible. I thought we could have had a penalty on half-time, for a handball by (Gael) Clichy. But when you need a little break, you don't always get it." - Sir Alex Ferguson |
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