Playing for 90
Fansided

5 classic Manchester United vs Arsenal matches defined the rivalry

By Tushar Bahl

CARDIFF, WALES - MAY 21: Roy Keane of Manchester United clashes with Patrick Vieira of Arsenal during the FA Cup Final match between Arsenal and Manchester United at the Millennium Stadium on May 21 2005 in Cardiff, Wales. (Photo by John Peters/Manchester United via Getty Images)
CARDIFF, WALES - MAY 21: Roy Keane of Manchester United clashes with Patrick Vieira of Arsenal during the FA Cup Final match between Arsenal and Manchester United at the Millennium Stadium on May 21 2005 in Cardiff, Wales. (Photo by John Peters/Manchester United via Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
2 of 6
Next
Arsenal’s Martin Keown taunted Manchester United’s Ruud Van Nistelrooy after he missed a penalty given away by Keown in the final minutes of the 2003 match between the two teams.
Arsenal’s Martin Keown taunted Manchester United’s Ruud Van Nistelrooy after he missed a penalty given away by Keown in the final minutes of the 2003 match between the two teams. /

5. Manchester United 0-0 Arsenal (21st September 2003)

You may think that a goalless draw couldn’t possibly be a classic. However, this was an important fixture in the context of the two clubs’ rivalry. The rivalry became personal on this day for Manchester United and Arsenal.

The football was overshadowed by the heated incidents between the two teams on the pitch. With both teams looking to get one over the other, the match became feisty. Eight yellow cards were awarded and Arsenal’s Patrick Vieira was sent off. The game was set to end goalless but Manchester United were given a last-minute penalty. Ruud van Nistelrooy stepped up but his effort hit the woodwork.

More from Manchester United

This prompted Arsenal defender Martin Keown to celebrate in the face of the Dutch striker. Other Arsenal players joined Keown to heckle the dejected van Nistelrooy.

Arsenal were given a £175,000 fine, the largest ever given to a club by the FA. While Ray Parlour, Patrick Vieira, Martin Keown and Lauren were all banned and fined. The miss became even more significant as Arsenal went on to finish the season unbeaten in the league and also won the league title. It could have been very different had van Nistelrooy scored and had United won. United finished third behind Chelsea in the end, but won the FA Cup, beating Milwall in the final.

Home/Manchester United