Manchester United v Arsenal - 5 classic matches
There have been some classic encounters between Manchester United and Arsenal over the years and Standard Sport's Michael Hart recalls five of the best . . .
May 1979 Arsenal 3 Man Utd 2
At the end of a lacklustre first half Arsenal led this FA Cup Final 2-0 with goals from Brian Talbot and Frank Stapleton and, with just minutes of the match remaining, victory seemed guaranteed. Then the game exploded into life — with Gordon McQueen scoring for United in the 85th minute. Two minutes later, Sammy McIlroy equalised. But from the kick-off, with extra-time beckoning, Liam Brady and Graham Rix combined to present Alan Sunderland with one of Wembley's most dramatic winning goals.
October 1990 Man Utd 0 Arsenal 1
Anders Limpar provided the decisive goal but the match remains in the memory because of the touchline clash between Nigel Winterburn and Brian McClair that escalated into a mass brawl involving every player on the pitch apart from Arsenal goalkeeper David Seaman. Arsenal fined manager George Graham and five players two weeks' wages and an FA commission fined both clubs £50,000 and Arsenal were deducted two points and United one in the Division One table.
November 1990 Arsenal 1 Man Utd 6
A month after the Old Trafford brawl the teams met again at Highbury in the fourth round of the League Cup. Lee Sharpe scored a hat-trick and danced with a corner flag as United upset the form-book, but both clubs' managers were relieved the game passed off with no further trouble between the still simmering players.
April 1999 Man Utd 2 Arsenal 1
A thrilling FA Cup semi-final replay. David Beckham scored after 17 minutes but Dennis Bergkamp equalised after 51 minutes before Arsenal's Nicolas Anelka had a goal disallowed and Roy Keane was sent off. Peter Schmeichel saved a 90th minute penalty from Bergkamp but, in the 19th minute of extra-time, Ryan Giggs wriggled past four defenders to fire in the goal of the season and give himself the excuse to famously bare his chest.
May 2002 Man Utd 0 Arsenal 1
Chasing the domestic double, it was Arsenal's last away game of the season and they were missing injured top scorer Thierry Henry. United needed to win to retain any hope of a fourth consecutive title but Sylvan Wiltord's 57th minute goal and the resilience of the Gunners' defence proved decisive.
