Come with us to dive into one of the most historic battles between two top table teams in the Premier League: Manchester United vs Arsenal.
At Sportsbreaks.com we take a look at the history of the rivalry, the iconic Old Trafford stadium where it has taken place for more than 114 years, and some of the most memorable clashes across the years.
The Historic Rivalry
Manchester United and Arsenal have enjoyed an intense rivalry for years and, as two of the Premier League’s biggest clubs, they have been consistently in competition with one another for silverware. This competition has often led to heated confrontations between iconic players and managers alike.
The rivalry had been building for several years but truly took off in 1987 when Arsenal’s David Rocastle lashed out after a foul by United’s Norman Whiteside. It would set the precedent for many years to come.
Then came Arsene Wenger in 1996, taking the Gunners to the top of the table, rivalling Manchester United for top spot and silverware. The rivalry seeped into every element of the matchday – from the players to the managers and the fans.
Old Trafford: ‘The Theatre of Dreams’
Manchester United first played their home matches at a 50,000-stadium at Bank Street, but the then president had bigger ambitions for the club and planned to build a new stadium with double the capacity. As a result, Old Trafford was created and officially opened in 1910 with a stadium that hosted 80,000 people.
Old Trafford was then used as a depot by the military in World War Two and was heavily damaged by a German bombing raid. The stadium was reconstructed and Manchester United moved back in 1949. Over the years there have been consistent developments and improvements made
Named the ‘Theatre of Dreams’ by legend Sir Bobby Charlton, Old Trafford has hosted some iconic and memorable football matches including the 1996 Euro semi-final, 2003 Champions League final and most recently the opener of the 2022 Women’s Euros.
Memorable Matches
- 21st September, 2003: Man Utd 0-0 Arsenal.
The Gunners, looking for a title of their own, travelled to the home of the defending champions in what has become known as the ‘Battle of Old Trafford’. Despite ending 0-0, it was a fiercely contested match filled with heated animosity between players that boiled over following Ruud Van Nistelrooy’s missed penalty.
- 24th October, 2004: Man Utd 2-0 Arsenal.
Pizzagate and the end of the Invincibles. Meetings between these two sides don’t come as iconic as this clash in 2004. United’s 2-0 victory – where Van Nistelrooy this time succeeded from 12 yards prior to Wayne Rooney’s late strike – saw an end to the Gunners’ 49-game unbeaten run.
Amid a brawl in the tunnel post-match, a slice of pizza was thrown at Sir Alex Ferguson by an unknown culprit. In 2017, midfielder Cesc Fabregas ended 13 years of speculation by admitting that he was the mystery offender. Whereas their meeting in 2003 was known as the Battle of Old Trafford, this instalment was aptly dubbed the ‘Battle of the Buffet’.
- 28th August, 2011: Man Utd 8-2 Arsenal.
This a day fondly remembered by United fans and there’s plenty of reasons as to why. The Red Devils recorded an 8-2 victory and handed Arsenal their biggest defeat since 1896. United fans were treated to goals from 5 different goal scorers, including a Wayne Rooney hat-trick.
Looking Ahead
Recent years have seen Manchester United slipping down the table and Arsenal dominating their rivals, but United will be looking to get back to old ways.
To register your interest in the tie, visit our Manchester United ticket page.
Join us for more stories, updates, and fan experiences at Sportsbreaks.com, where the game never ends, and every match is more than just a game.
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