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) /
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MANCHESTER, ENGLAND – OCTOBER 24: Ruud van Nistelrooy of Manchester United celebrates scoring the first goal during the Barclays Premiership match between Manchester United and Arsenal at Old Trafford on October 24, 2004 in Manchester, England. (Photo by John Peters/Manchester United via Getty Images)
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND – OCTOBER 24: Ruud van Nistelrooy of Manchester United celebrates scoring the first goal during the Barclays Premiership match between Manchester United and Arsenal at Old Trafford on October 24, 2004 in Manchester, England. (Photo by John Peters/Manchester United via Getty Images) /

4. Manchester United 2-0 Arsenal (24th October, 2004)

This match had great significance in the history of the two clubs. Arsenal came into the game with a record-breaking 49-match winning streak with them. They were the league leaders, while United were 6th, 11 points behind Arsenal. The match was ill-tempered and feisty as tensions running high. It was a scrappy affair with both sides looking not to lose.

After 73 minutes however, the hosts had the breakthrough. Wayne Rooney, on his 19th birthday, was fouled inside the box by Sol Campbell. Ruud van Nistelrooy stepped up again, and this time he scored and celebrated jubilantly as the crowd went wild. As Arsenal dominated and pressed for an equaliser, they were undone on the counter-attack as Rooney turned scorer with a tap-in past Jens Lehmann.

United won 2-0 but the post-match scenes saw the tempers boil. It was alleged that Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson had foodstuffs such as pizza thrown at him by Cesc Fabregas. In his autobiography, Ferguson said: “They say it was Cesc Fàbregas who threw the pizza at me but, to this day, I have no idea who the culprit is.”

Wenger was highly critical of the referee and called van Nistelrooy a “cheat”. He was fined £15,000 for improper conduct by the FA. Meanwhile, Ruud van Nistelrooy was given a 3-match ban for his foul on Ashley Cole which was missed by the referee.

After this match, Arsenal’s form suffered, and they haven’t won a league title since then. Manchester United finished third as Jose Mourinho’s Chelsea ran out champions.

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