• October 20, 1990 - Manchester United 0 Arsenal 1 (Limpar 42'): Granted, this game came just before the start of the Premier League (yes, there was such a time) but it was one that should be considered the kindling to the fire that eventually raged between the two clubs. A second-half tackle by Arsenal's Nigel Winterburn on Denis Irwin would spark a fracas involving all but one of the 22 players on the pitch. Only Gunners goalkeeper David Seaman decided he did not fancy joining in. It lasted little over 20 seconds but would result in both teams being fined and deducted points. Arsenal would still go on to win the title, though. Getty
    October 20, 1990 - Manchester United 0 Arsenal 1 (Limpar 42'): Granted, this game came just before the start of the Premier League (yes, there was such a time) but it was one that should be considered the kindling to the fire that eventually raged between the two clubs. A second-half tackle by Arsenal's Nigel Winterburn on Denis Irwin would spark a fracas involving all but one of the 22 players on the pitch. Only Gunners goalkeeper David Seaman decided he did not fancy joining in. It lasted little over 20 seconds but would result in both teams being fined and deducted points. Arsenal would still go on to win the title, though. Getty
  • March 14, 1998 - Manchester United 0 Arsenal 1 (Overmars 79'): A late goal from Dutch winger Marc Overmars gave Arsene Wenger's side hope of overtaking Alex Ferguson's United in the title race. It left the Gunners six points behind United but with three games in their favour, destiny was in their own hands. And the win would prove to be just the boost Arsenal needed as they would go on to win their next eight games and secure the double in Wenger's first full season in charge. Getty
    March 14, 1998 - Manchester United 0 Arsenal 1 (Overmars 79'): A late goal from Dutch winger Marc Overmars gave Arsene Wenger's side hope of overtaking Alex Ferguson's United in the title race. It left the Gunners six points behind United but with three games in their favour, destiny was in their own hands. And the win would prove to be just the boost Arsenal needed as they would go on to win their next eight games and secure the double in Wenger's first full season in charge. Getty
  • February 25, 2001 - Manchester United 6 (Yorke 3', 18' & 22', Keane 26', Solskjaer 38', Sheringham 90') Arsenal 1 (Henry 16'): A humiliating afternoon for Wenger and Arsenal as reigning champions United produced a thrilling football masterclass with five brilliant first-half goals. Striker Dwight Yorke scored a remarkable hat-trick in the first 22 minutes. Ferguson's side would go on to secure their third title on the trot. Getty
    February 25, 2001 - Manchester United 6 (Yorke 3', 18' & 22', Keane 26', Solskjaer 38', Sheringham 90') Arsenal 1 (Henry 16'): A humiliating afternoon for Wenger and Arsenal as reigning champions United produced a thrilling football masterclass with five brilliant first-half goals. Striker Dwight Yorke scored a remarkable hat-trick in the first 22 minutes. Ferguson's side would go on to secure their third title on the trot. Getty
  • May 8, 2002 - Manchester United 0 Arsenal 1 (Wiltord 56'): One of the greatest nights of Wenger's reign as his team secured the Double at their arch-rivals on their home turf. French attacker Sylvain Wiltord's goal secured the points as the Gunners celebrated on the pitch in front of the away fans in a virtually empty Old Trafford. The balance of power had swung again. Getty
    May 8, 2002 - Manchester United 0 Arsenal 1 (Wiltord 56'): One of the greatest nights of Wenger's reign as his team secured the Double at their arch-rivals on their home turf. French attacker Sylvain Wiltord's goal secured the points as the Gunners celebrated on the pitch in front of the away fans in a virtually empty Old Trafford. The balance of power had swung again. Getty
  • September 21, 2003 - Manchester United 0 Arsenal 0: If a match summed up just how fierce the rivalry between the two clubs reached during the Ferguson-Wenger years, it was this one. After a tight, hard-fought battle, striker Ruud van Nistelrooy had blasted an injury time penalty against the crossbar denying his team all three points. But it was the reaction of Arsenal players, who felt Van Nistelrooy had earlier over-reacted to get captain Patrick Vieira sent-off, that went down in footballing infamy. Martin Keown had led the way in shoving the Dutchman and screaming in his face. He would later be banned and fined for his troubles. Arsenal would go on to win the title - a feat they have not managed again. Getty
    September 21, 2003 - Manchester United 0 Arsenal 0: If a match summed up just how fierce the rivalry between the two clubs reached during the Ferguson-Wenger years, it was this one. After a tight, hard-fought battle, striker Ruud van Nistelrooy had blasted an injury time penalty against the crossbar denying his team all three points. But it was the reaction of Arsenal players, who felt Van Nistelrooy had earlier over-reacted to get captain Patrick Vieira sent-off, that went down in footballing infamy. Martin Keown had led the way in shoving the Dutchman and screaming in his face. He would later be banned and fined for his troubles. Arsenal would go on to win the title - a feat they have not managed again. Getty
  • October 24, 2004 - Manchester United 2 (Van Nistelrooy pen 73', Rooney 90) Arsenal 0: After the ferocious goading he received missing the last-minute penalty a year earlier, revenge was sweet for Van Nistelrooy. The Dutchman made no mistake from the spot this time round and Wayne Rooney sealed the points in the last minute and ended Arsenal's record-breaking 49-match unbeaten run. But it was the fracas after the match - forever to be known as "Battle of the Buffet" or "Pizzagate" - that the game will be remembered for, when various food stuffs were launched between the two sets of players and coaching staffs. AFP
    October 24, 2004 - Manchester United 2 (Van Nistelrooy pen 73', Rooney 90) Arsenal 0: After the ferocious goading he received missing the last-minute penalty a year earlier, revenge was sweet for Van Nistelrooy. The Dutchman made no mistake from the spot this time round and Wayne Rooney sealed the points in the last minute and ended Arsenal's record-breaking 49-match unbeaten run. But it was the fracas after the match - forever to be known as "Battle of the Buffet" or "Pizzagate" - that the game will be remembered for, when various food stuffs were launched between the two sets of players and coaching staffs. AFP
  • September 17, 2006 - Manchester United 0 Arsenal 1 (Adebayor 86'): Emmanuel Adebayor scored the late winner for Arsenal in match that had earlier seen United's debutant keeper Tomasz Kuszczak save Gilberto's penalty. Incredibly, the Gunners did not win another league game at Old Trafford until 2020. United would go on to win the first of four titles in the next five years as Ferguson's side took firm control of the rivalry. Getty
    September 17, 2006 - Manchester United 0 Arsenal 1 (Adebayor 86'): Emmanuel Adebayor scored the late winner for Arsenal in match that had earlier seen United's debutant keeper Tomasz Kuszczak save Gilberto's penalty. Incredibly, the Gunners did not win another league game at Old Trafford until 2020. United would go on to win the first of four titles in the next five years as Ferguson's side took firm control of the rivalry. Getty
  • August 29 2009 - Manchester United 2 (Rooney pen 59', Diaby og 64') Arsenal 1 (Arshavin 40'): A hugely frustrating day for Arsenal as they saw Andrey Arshavin's first-half finish overturned in five minutes after the break by Rooney's penalty - following a needless foul be keeper Manuel Almunia - and Abou Diaby's headed own goal. Arsenal attacker Robin van Persie's injury-time strike was ruled out for offside, resulting in manager Wenger being sent to the stands for kicking away a plastic bottle in anger. The Frenchman initially tried standing behind the dugout after the sending off and the sight of Wenger with his arms outstretched surrounded by jeering United fans remains one of the fixture's most memorable images. Getty
    August 29 2009 - Manchester United 2 (Rooney pen 59', Diaby og 64') Arsenal 1 (Arshavin 40'): A hugely frustrating day for Arsenal as they saw Andrey Arshavin's first-half finish overturned in five minutes after the break by Rooney's penalty - following a needless foul be keeper Manuel Almunia - and Abou Diaby's headed own goal. Arsenal attacker Robin van Persie's injury-time strike was ruled out for offside, resulting in manager Wenger being sent to the stands for kicking away a plastic bottle in anger. The Frenchman initially tried standing behind the dugout after the sending off and the sight of Wenger with his arms outstretched surrounded by jeering United fans remains one of the fixture's most memorable images. Getty
  • August 28, 2011 - Manchester United 8 (Welbeck 22', Young', Rooney 41', 76' & pen 82', Nani 67', Park 70', Young 90+1') Arsenal 2 (Waclott 45+3, Van Persie 74'): One of the darkest days of Wenger's managerial reign at the North London club and a sign of just how far behind United his team had fallen. Arsenal's team was weakened by injury and suspension and United took full advantage, with Rooney scoring a hat-trick in the Gunners' worst defeat since 1896. Getty
    August 28, 2011 - Manchester United 8 (Welbeck 22', Young', Rooney 41', 76' & pen 82', Nani 67', Park 70', Young 90+1') Arsenal 2 (Waclott 45+3, Van Persie 74'): One of the darkest days of Wenger's managerial reign at the North London club and a sign of just how far behind United his team had fallen. Arsenal's team was weakened by injury and suspension and United took full advantage, with Rooney scoring a hat-trick in the Gunners' worst defeat since 1896. Getty
  • February 28, 2016 - Manchester United 3 (Rashford 29', 32', Herrera 65') Arsenal 2 (Welbeck 40', Ozil 69'): Ferguson had now retired but United's stranglehold over Wenger and Arsenal remained. Teenager Marcus Rashford catapulted himself into the Premier League spotlight with two goals, coming days after a debut double against FC Midtjylland in the Europa League. The game would also be remembered for Dutch manager Louis van Gall taking a bizarre fall to the ground in front of the fourth official trying to make a point about Arsenal players diving. Despite United winning again, Arsenal would finish above them for the second season running. Getty
    February 28, 2016 - Manchester United 3 (Rashford 29', 32', Herrera 65') Arsenal 2 (Welbeck 40', Ozil 69'): Ferguson had now retired but United's stranglehold over Wenger and Arsenal remained. Teenager Marcus Rashford catapulted himself into the Premier League spotlight with two goals, coming days after a debut double against FC Midtjylland in the Europa League. The game would also be remembered for Dutch manager Louis van Gall taking a bizarre fall to the ground in front of the fourth official trying to make a point about Arsenal players diving. Despite United winning again, Arsenal would finish above them for the second season running. Getty
  • April 29, 2018 - Manchester United 2 (Pogba 16', Fellaini 90+1) Arsenal 1(Mkhitaryan 51'): An agonising end to Wenger's final game at Old Trafford as Arsenal manager. Before the match, Wenger had been presented with a silver vase as the Frenchman was given a warm reception by home fans. But the game itself was a disappointment for Wenger as a last-gasp header from Marouane Fellaini earned United three points. After 22 years in charge, Wenger would finally head for exit at the end of the season. Reuters
    April 29, 2018 - Manchester United 2 (Pogba 16', Fellaini 90+1) Arsenal 1(Mkhitaryan 51'): An agonising end to Wenger's final game at Old Trafford as Arsenal manager. Before the match, Wenger had been presented with a silver vase as the Frenchman was given a warm reception by home fans. But the game itself was a disappointment for Wenger as a last-gasp header from Marouane Fellaini earned United three points. After 22 years in charge, Wenger would finally head for exit at the end of the season. Reuters

Football

Battle of the Buffet, 21-man brawl, Arsene Wenger in the stands: classic Manchester United and Arsenal clashes – in pictures

Before one of the Premier League's most iconic fixtures, we pick out 11 memorable matches that have taken place at Old Trafford

Gareth Cox

November 01, 2020

  • English
  • Arabic

This weekend sees one of the most iconic Premier League clashes take place, when Manchester United take on Arsenal at Old Trafford.

The two clubs fought a bitter rivalry when legendary managers Alex Ferguson and Arsene Wenger where in charge of United and the Gunners, respectively, in the 1990s through into the new millennium.

Season after season, the teams went head-to-head into battle as the quest to rule English football produced some of the most memorable moments and greatest players of the modern game.

They would dominate the division from Wenger's arrival in 1996 until 2004 when Chelsea, and the bottomless pit of money provided by Russian owner Roman Abramovich, gatecrashed the party.

Arsenal, unable to compete financially with United or Chelsea due to the cost of building their new Emirates Stadium, would not win another title under Wenger while Ferguson maintained his stranglehold on the top-flight until retiring in 2013.

But the memorable moments between the clubs would keep coming – albeit with few happy ones for Wenger and Arsenal, who would leave the Gunners five years after his old rival at United.

To take a trip down memory lane and remind yourself of some of the best moments from Old Trafford clashes, swipe through the picture gallery above or click on the arrows.

ArsenalManchester United