Clashes between Manchester United and Arsenal always wet the appetite of punters here in the Transfer Tavern- and tomorrow is no different.
In the past few years the excitement has dropped a bit with neither challenging for Premier League glory but that wasn’t always the case, as a decade ago these two sides were the finest in the countries.
That’s given us plenty of memories to look back upon and some classic matches to digest, although not all of them will bring back happy memories from their relevant supporters- I’m sure Arsenal fans in particular are cringing thinking of one particular result.
Here we’ve selected our favourite matches of all-time between the two sides and we’re hoping that tomorrow the expectations meet the bill! Here’s to a cracker.
Click on Danny Welbeck scoring against his former side to see the FIVE best games!
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Manchester United 2-1 Arsenal: April 14 1999
The game where Ryan Giggs scored *that* goal stole the show but it was a fantastic match between two great rivals, one that should be remembered for more than just one spectacular individual effort.
A classy long-range striker from Goldenballs himself, David Beckham, broke the deadlock but Dennis Bergkamp later equalised. Roy Keane was then sent-off and Marc Overmars introduction put the tide in Arsenal’s favour.
A penalty for the Gunners seemed to end the treble dreams but Peter Schmeichel saved Bergkamp’s effort- and then Giggs took matters into his own hands.
Manchester United 0-0 Arsenal: September 21 2003
The best goalless draw of all time? Probably!
Ruud Van Nistelrooy’s actions earned Patrick Vieira a red card, see also Gabriel Paulista and Diego Costa, and the Gunners were delighted when the Dutchman smashed a late penalty against the crossbar.
A melee ensued after Martin Keown mocked the striker, which saw many Arsenal players hauled in front of the football authorities and given a hefty slap on the wrist.
Manchester United 0-1 Arsenal: May 8 2002
A fond memory in Arsenal’s history, the Gunners clinched the Premier League on hallowed soil at Old Trafford.
Sylvain Wiltord was the hero, though Arsenal only required a draw, but it sent Arsene Wenger’s side into the record books and the chants of ‘we won the league in Manchester’ can still be heard on the terraces in North London to this day.
Winning their last 13 matches, nobody thought Arsenal would go on a better run. 49 games a few years later changed that.
Manchester United 2-0 Arsenal: October 24 2004
A match that ended a record-run, with Arsenal’s 49 games unbeaten coming to a close at Old Trafford, will not be remembered for anything that happened on the field during the 90 minutes.
Wayne Rooney and a controversial penalty from Ruud Van Nistelrooy won the match but it was the incidents in the tunnel that stole the headlines; as ‘pizza gate’ became a thing.
Cesc Fabregas is believed to be the player who threw the pizza slice at Sir Alex Ferguson; which may be why he is remembered amongst the greats on Ken Friar’s bridge.
Manchester United 8-2 Arsenal: August 28 2011
Sorry Arsenal fans, we couldn’t oversee this match. TEN goals went in, eight against the Gunners. A day to forget for Arsene Wenger.
Wayne Rooney and Ashley Young tore apart the Gunners, who saw Carl Jenkinson dismissed, and Sir Alex Ferguson also mocked Arsenal afterwards- stating they could have scored more but didn’t want to against a weakened side.
Ouch.
