Ashley Young singled out the performances of Paddy McNair and Tyler Blackett as he praised Manchester United's resilience after snatching all three points against Arsenal on Saturday.

Louis van Gaal's side delivered a second-half counter-attacking masterclass at the Emriates as United climbed into the top four for the first time this season.

A Kieran Gibbs own goal and a sublime Wayne Rooney finish following a swift break was enough to earn a fifth win of the season for the Red Devils, and Young credits their defensive solidity as the driving force behind the victory.

Ashley Young celebrates with Wayne Rooney during Manchester United 2-1 win against Arsenal on Saturday

The winger goes hurtling over a challenge by Arsenal defender Calum Chambers at the Emirates

'When you come to the Emirates you know it's going to be a tough game and you've got to be resilient,' Young told MUTV.

'I think (resilience) is going to have to be (the key word). Players like Paddy McNair and Tyler Blackett at the back were fantastic, and Chris Smalling as well.

'It's new for Tyler and Paddy to come to the Emirates but I thought they were great from the word go and it's not an easy job.'

Manchester United had to survive a first-half onslaught as David de Gea kept Arsenal at bay with a string of saves and Young admits the visitors rode their luck at times.

Captain Rooney celebrates scoring his side's second in their 2-1 win away at Arsenal

Rooney (right) doubled United's advantage with a delicate left-footed chip over replacement Emiliano Martinez

Young praised the performances of United defenders Paddy McNair (right) and Tyler Blackett

'Every man had to defend at some point and, in truth, we felt we were lucky to go in at half-time at 0-0. We came out in the second half and started to play, we got the goal and I didn't think Arsenal would score after that.'

The 29-year-old revealed that soaking up Arsenal pressure before hitting them on the break was a deliberate ploy having done their homework on Arsene Wenger's side in the build-up to the game.

'We played on the counter-attack and got the second and might have got a third. We set out to get the three points and it's a great result.