Speaking to BBC Sport after the game, Arsène Wenger described the result as "humiliating", but claimed it "was not an 8–2 game".
Wenger offered his apologies to the club's 3,000 supporters who had travelled to the game, with the club offering free tickets to a future away fixture.
Ferguson was empathetic towards Wenger, saying "he has been a big adversary and will continue to be when he gets his big players back".

Wenger moved quickly to strengthen his squad, signing South Korean striker Park Chu-young from AS Monaco, Brazilian André Santos from Fenerbahçe, German defender Per Mertesacker from Werder Bremen, and Spanish midfielder Mikel Arteta from Everton, as well as loaning Yossi Benayoun from rivals Chelsea.
Defender Armand Traoré was the first casualty of the defeat, being quickly sold to newly promoted Queens Park Rangers.

Arsenal completed a strong recovery from a disastrous start to the season including the loss to Manchester United.
They finished in third behind Manchester United and Manchester City.

Manchester United's were the early pace-setters, leading the table until October when they drew at Liverpool allowing Manchester City to overtake them.
The following week, City increased their lead to five points with a shock 6–1 away victory at Old Trafford, which they maintained until December, when they dropped points and their lead narrowed, but City remained in front until March, when a defeat at Swansea City saw them drop behind United.
City's bad form continued for the next month while United went on a winning run, so that with six matches remaining United were eight points ahead of City and the title seemingly decided.
However, United then faltered with a defeat and a draw in their next two games, while City won all three to narrow the gap to three points.
City then beat United 1–0 at the City of Manchester Stadium to move back ahead of United on goal difference.
Both sides won their penultimate matches to maintain the status quo.

Going into the final matches, which were played simultaneously, Manchester City were top of the league, ahead of Manchester United on goal difference.
However, a Wayne Rooney goal away to Sunderland gave United the advantage.
A 39th-minute goal from Pablo Zabaleta, his first of the season, put City back on top at half time.
In a dramatic second half Djibril Cissé equalised for Queens Park Rangers in the 48th minute.
Shortly after, Joey Barton of QPR was sent off for elbowing Carlos Tevez; on his way off the pitch, he kicked Sergio Agüero, attempted to headbutt Vincent Kompany and squared up to Mario Balotelli.
Despite the numerical advantage, City went behind after Jamie Mackie gave QPR the lead in the 66th minute.
As time wound down in both matches, it appeared that Manchester United would win the title with their victory over Sunderland.
But Edin Džeko equalised for City in the 92nd minute.
While United players waited on the field at Sunderland for a possible trophy presentation, Manchester City's Sergio Agüero scored the game winner in the 95th minute to clinch the title on goal difference.
Speaking to BBC Sport after the game, Arsène Wenger described the result as "humiliating", but claimed it "was not an 8–2 game". Wenger offered his apologies to the club's 3,000 supporters who had travelled to the game, with the club offering free tickets to a future away fixture. Ferguson was empathetic towards Wenger, saying "he has been a big adversary and will continue to be when he gets his big players back".
Wenger moved quickly to strengthen his squad, signing South Korean striker Park Chu-young from AS Monaco, Brazilian André Santos from Fenerbahçe, German defender Per Mertesacker from Werder Bremen, and Spanish midfielder Mikel Arteta from Everton, as well as loaning Yossi Benayoun from rivals Chelsea. Defender Armand Traoré was the first casualty of the defeat, being quickly sold to newly promoted Queens Park Rangers.
Arsenal completed a strong recovery from a disastrous start to the season including the loss to Manchester United. They finished in third behind Manchester United and Manchester City.
Manchester United's were the early pace-setters, leading the table until October when they drew at Liverpool allowing Manchester City to overtake them. The following week, City increased their lead to five points with a shock 6–1 away victory at Old Trafford, which they maintained until December, when they dropped points and their lead narrowed, but City remained in front until March, when a defeat at Swansea City saw them drop behind United. City's bad form continued for the next month while United went on a winning run, so that with six matches remaining United were eight points ahead of City and the title seemingly decided. However, United then faltered with a defeat and a draw in their next two games, while City won all three to narrow the gap to three points. City then beat United 1–0 at the City of Manchester Stadium to move back ahead of United on goal difference. Both sides won their penultimate matches to maintain the status quo.
Going into the final matches, which were played simultaneously, Manchester City were top of the league, ahead of Manchester United on goal difference. However, a Wayne Rooney goal away to Sunderland gave United the advantage. A 39th-minute goal from Pablo Zabaleta, his first of the season, put City back on top at half time. In a dramatic second half Djibril Cissé equalised for Queens Park Rangers in the 48th minute. Shortly after, Joey Barton of QPR was sent off for elbowing Carlos Tevez; on his way off the pitch, he kicked Sergio Agüero, attempted to headbutt Vincent Kompany and squared up to Mario Balotelli. Despite the numerical advantage, City went behind after Jamie Mackie gave QPR the lead in the 66th minute. As time wound down in both matches, it appeared that Manchester United would win the title with their victory over Sunderland. But Edin Džeko equalised for City in the 92nd minute. While United players waited on the field at Sunderland for a possible trophy presentation, Manchester City's Sergio Agüero scored the game winner in the 95th minute to clinch the title on goal difference.
Manchester United F.C. 8–2 Arsenal F.C.