un-fer-gettable

Arsenal vs Manchester United: Ruud van Nistelrooy, Roy Keane and Patrick Vieira — seven classics from Arsene Wenger-Sir Alex Ferguson rivalry

Jose Mourinho takes his side to Emirates to maintain fourth-place challenge, but this was once Premier League's No.1 clash

IT’S Arsenal vs Manchester United this weekend, and there was a time when this was the most-anticipated match in the country.

In his two decades in the Premier League, Arsene Wenger developed a memorable rivalry with  Sir Alex Ferguson.

Arsene Wenger and Sir Alex Ferguson were involved in many heated battles

The pair went head-to-head as the country’s top two for seven years — with fans and players alike growing a real distaste for each other.


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The result was a host of classic encounters with talking points aplenty.

Here are our seven most memorable clashes.

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Wright on Schmeichel

1996-97: Arsenal 1 Manchester United 2

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Ian Wright stamps down on Peter Schmeichel with two feet after being offside

This was Wenger’s first home match against United — and he soon realised what this fixture was all about.

Goals from Andy Cole and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer put the away side in cruise control before Dennis Bergkamp netted a consolation.

But the main talking point came late on. Ian Wright, who had exchanged words with Peter Schmeichel in the earlier fixture at Old Trafford that season, was put through on goal — only to be flagged offside.

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Players from both sides look on as Peter Schmeichel lies stricken

Ian Wright is held back as he tries to confront Peter Schmeichel at final whistle

However, he carried on regardless and came down with a two-footed stamp on the great Dane.

Fergie was incensed and demanded a red card but Wright finished the game. At the full-time whistle, he had to be restrained as he attempted to confront Schmeichel.

A rivalry was well and truly born.

Giggs’ goal (and hairy chest)

1998-99: Arsenal 1 Manchester United 2, FA Cup Semi-final replay

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Ryan Giggs fires into the roof of the net to send Manchester United to Wembley

United were fighting to become the first English side to win a Treble of league, FA Cup and Champions League — while the Gunners were defending the former two.

The pair were level in the Premier League and had drawn 0-0 at Villa Park in the original game.

David Beckham opened the scoring with a superb curling effort past David Seaman, before Bergkamp equalised.

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Dennis Bergkamp tussles with Dutch team-mate Japp Stam at Villa Park

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Roy Keane takes the long walk after seeing red in thrilling FA Cup semi-final replay

Arsenal appeared to be in the ascendancy as Nicolas Anelka‘s goal was ruled offside and Roy Keane saw red late on.

Bergkamp was then given the chance to send the Gunners to Wembley when Phil Neville recklessly brought down Ray Parlour in the box in stoppage time — only to see his spot-kick saved by Schmeichel.

A thrilling contest took another twist when Patrick Vieira gave the ball to Ryan Giggs in the middle of the park.

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A jubilant Ryan Giggs reels away in celebration after hitting FA Cup semi-final winner

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Ryan Giggs memorably showed off his chest rug after scoring against Arsenal

The Welshman just kept on running, past Lee Dixon, past Martin Keown, before firing high into the roof of the net to finish off one of the most memorable goals in English football history.

There was still time for Tony Adams to head wide with the final act of the game as United prevailed in an absolute classic.

Wiltord wins it

2001-02: Manchester United 0 Arsenal 1

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Sylvain Wiltord’s second half goal wins the title for Arsenal at Old Trafford in 2002

Arsenal had finished as runners up to United for three consecutive seasons after winning a maiden Premier League title.

But they came back with a vengeance.

Arguably Wenger’s best team, packed with power, speed, leadership and skilled steamrolled over their openings — finishing the season unbeaten away from home.

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Arsenal players celebrate after winning the 2001-02 Premier League title at Old Trafford

The Gunners also set another record that season by netting in every single game.

And Arsenal wrapped up the title at the home of the fierce rivals.

Sylvain Wiltord capitalised on a Fabien Barthez mistake to score the game’s only goal on 55 minutes.

The strike clinched Arsenal’s second Double in four years.

Battle of Old Trafford

2003-04: Manchester United 0 Arsenal 0

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Arsenal players confront Ruud van Nistelrooy after his missed last-gasp penalty

Ahead of this match, there was much interest as to how Ashley Cole would cope with 18-year-old Cristiano Ronaldo after dealing comfortably against Beckham in recent encounters.

But there was also a subtle rivalry developing between Arsenal as a club — and more specifically, Vieira — and United’s Ruud van Nistelrooy.

The Dutchman had been the scorn of the Gunners in the previous campaign as Fergie’s men pipped Wenger to the title.

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Ruud van Nistelrooy smashes his stoppage time penalty against the bar

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Martin Keown celebrates the moment Ruud van Nistelrooy missed a penalty

With the game deadlocked and 80 minutes on the clock, Vieira and Van Nistelrooy challenge for a ball which ends with the Frenchman on the floor.

In frustration, he kicks out at the Dutchman to receive second booking. A brawl ensues which remarkably sees Keane act as peacemaker.

The drama wasn’t over as United were awarded a stoppage time penalty following Keown’s foul on Diego Forlan.

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Patrick Vieira tries to confront Ruud van Nistelroory after receiving red card

Van Nistelrooy eventually stepped up and crashed his effort against the bar.

Keown led the Arsenal players in deriding the devastated Dutchman.

After the final whistle, they crowded around him and players from both sides got involved in ugly scenes.

Arsenal were fined £175,000 and Lauren, Keown, Vieira and Ray Parlour were handed bans, while Ronaldo and Giggs were also ordered to pay.

Pizza-gate

2004-05: Manchester United 2 Arsenal 0

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Ruud van Nistelrooy jubilantly celebrates after laying to recent penalty demons

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Ruud van Nistelrooy coolly slots home his penalty to make it 1-0 to Manchester United

The draw at Old Trafford was game No.8 into what would become the longest undefeated streak in English football history.

Arsenal went the entire 2003-04 season without losing a match and The Invincibles arrived at Old Trafford trying to extend their unbeaten streak to 50.

Gary and Phil Neville hit Robert Pires with some ferocious tackles in a fiery first-half which yielded no goals.

But, with 17 minutes remaining, the game burst into life.

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Wayne Rooney goes down int he box after feeling contact from Sol Campbell

Wayne Rooney — on his 19th birthday — went down under minimal contact when Sol Campbell naively hung a leg out in the box.

After what seemed like an eternity, Van Nistelrooy coolly rolled the ball into the bottom corner to cue wild and — as Wenger would later claim — over the top, jubilant scenes.

The Gunners pressed for an equaliser but were sucker-punched in the final minute as the birthday boy wrapped up the points.

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Wayne Rooney’s late goal clinches a valuable three points for Manchester United

A triumphant Fergie waved to the crowd as he left the Old Trafford pitch in his suit — only to appear for the post-match interview in a tracksuit.

It was later alleged he had been hit by pizza thrown at him by an Arsenal midfielder, Cesc Fabregas.

Vieira vs Keane

2004-05: Arsenal 2 Manchester United 4

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Roy Keane and Patrick Vieira clashed in tunnel before the clash at Highbury

Mikael Silvestre sees red for vicious headbutt on Freddie Ljungberg in fiery clash

This game came to life even before the players had made it to the pitch.

Keane came storming down the tunnel to confront Vieira for alleged comments made towards Gary Neville.

Referee Graham Poll enjoyed being the centre of attention as he calmed the warring pair down.

Players refused to shake hands and the tone was set.

A bloodied Freddie Ljungberg shows the effects of Mikael Silvestre’s attack

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Cristiano Ronaldo scored twice as Manchester United won a pulsating affair

Tackles flew in with fans baying for red cards at every turn.

Vieira put the Gunners ahead before Giggs equalised and Bergkamp restored the home side’s advantage.

The game turned on it’s head as Ronaldo netted a quick-fire double but United saw Mikael Silvestre sent off for a vicious headbutt on Freddie Ljungberg.

However, John O’Shea clinched the victory a delicate last-gasp chip.

Henry makes history

2006-07: Arsenal 2 Manchester United 1

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Thierry Henry’s header powers past Edwin van der Sar into top corner of the net

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Thierry Henry scores only last minute winner against Sir Alex Ferguson’s Man United

The rivalry was diminishing — but they still managed to eek out on classic.

This was never the greatest game, but the Gunners still made history.

Thierry Henry won it for Arsenal with the last kick of the game — and it was the only time Fergie ever conceded a last minute winner.

Rooney had given United the lead before Robin van Perise rifled an equaliser into the roof of the net.

//www.playbuzz.com/sunsport11/united-v-arsenal

 

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