Manchester United FC

A fierce rivalry born in the late 1990s, defined by title battles, red cards, and managerial enmity.

The rivalry between Arsenal and Manchester United became fierce in the late 1990s and early 2000s, when the teams regularly competed for the Premier League title and FA Cup. It was marked by enmity between managers Arsène Wenger (1996–2018) and Sir Alex Ferguson (1986–2013), and club captains Patrick Vieira and Roy Keane. Seven red cards were shown in matches from February 1997 to February 2005. The rivalry diminished by 2008, according to former Arsenal player Lee Dixon, and Ferguson noted meetings had cooled from previous 'heated' exchanges. Other factors in the 2010s included the ascendancy of Chelsea, Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester City.

Quick Facts

First meeting

13 October 1894
Second Division
Newton Heath 3–3 Woolwich Arsenal

Stadiums

Emirates Stadium (Arsenal), Old Trafford (Manchester United)

Teams

Arsenal, Manchester United

Most player appearances

Ryan Giggs (50)

Top scorer

Wayne Rooney (12)

Latest meeting

25 January 2026
Premier League
Arsenal 2–3 Manchester United

Total meetings

246

Most wins

Manchester United (100)

Lore & Background

Arsenal and Manchester United first played a competitive match in October 1894. As of 25 January 2026, they have faced each other 246 times, with United winning 100 games to Arsenal's 91, and 55 draws. Wayne Rooney scored the most goals in the fixture (12), while Ryan Giggs made the highest number of appearances (50). Several players have featured for both clubs, including Brian Kidd, Andy Cole, David Platt, Robin van Persie, Danny Welbeck, Alexis Sánchez and George Graham.

A memorable match occurred on 1 February 1958, a league fixture at Highbury that was the last game United played before the Munich air disaster five days later; United won 5–4. Another high-profile clash was the 1979 FA Cup final, which Arsenal won 3–2 with an 89th-minute goal by Alan Sunderland. Sir Alex Ferguson believed the rivalry started in January 1987 when David Rocastle was sent off for retaliating against a foul on Norman Whiteside. In October 1990, a brawl at Old Trafford resulted in both clubs being docked points in the 1990–91 First Division.

The rivalry intensified after Arsène Wenger's arrival in October 1996. The first meeting between Ferguson's United and Wenger's Arsenal was on 16 November 1996 at Old Trafford, a 1–0 United win via an own goal by Nigel Winterburn. Incidents between Ian Wright and Peter Schmeichel in the 1996–97 season involved allegations of racial abuse, which were criminally investigated; Schmeichel faced no charges, and the pair reconciled in April 1997. Arsenal won the double in 1997–98, beating United 1–0 at Old Trafford in March.

In 1998–99, United regained the title by a point and met Arsenal in an FA Cup semi-final replay, which United won 2–1 after extra time, with Ryan Giggs scoring a memorable winner. United completed the Treble that season. The rivalry continued into the new millennium; United finished 18 points clear in 1999–2000 and won a hat-trick of titles, including a 6–1 win over Arsenal in February 2001.

Reader's Guide

The rivalry is defined by the late 1990s and early 2000s clashes, particularly the 'Battle of Old Trafford' in September 2003, marred by a mêlée instigated by Arsenal players who felt Ruud van Nistelrooy had cheated to get Patrick Vieira sent off. A season later, Manchester United ended Arsenal's unbeaten run in controversial circumstances, leading to disorder in the tunnel. Key figures include managers Arsène Wenger and Sir Alex Ferguson, and captains Patrick Vieira and Roy Keane. The rivalry cooled after 2008 due to the rise of other clubs.