Three of the Most Memorable Matches Between Manchester United and Arsenal at Old Trafford

Manchester United vs Arsenal is one of English football’s most storied rivalries, and over the years, Old Trafford has been the battleground for some of the most unforgettable encounters between these two giants. From title-defining clashes to dramatic comebacks and heated confrontations, this fixture has produced countless iconic moments. So, let’s take a deep dive into three of the most memorable Manchester United vs Arsenal matches at Old Trafford.

1) Manchester United 8-2 Arsenal (August 2011) 

This match remains one of the most lopsided results in Premier League history and a day Arsenal fans would rather forget. Coming into the game, the Gunners were in turmoil, having lost key players like Cesc Fabregas and Samir Nasri in the summer transfer window. With a depleted squad, Arsène Wenger’s side traveled to Old Trafford, hoping to defy the odds. What followed, however, was a humiliation of historic proportions. 

United dominated from the start, and by halftime, they were already 3-1 up thanks to goals from Danny Welbeck, Ashley Young, and Wayne Rooney. Arsenal’s Theo Walcott managed to pull one back just before the break, but any hope of a comeback was shattered in the second half. 

Rooney was at his brilliant best, scoring a hat-trick, while Young bagged two stunning long-range strikes. Nani and Park Ji-Sung also got on the scoresheet, piling misery on Arsenal. To make matters worse, Robin van Persie, still in Arsenal colors at the time, missed a penalty that could have at least made the scoreline a little more respectable. 

The 8-2 hammering sent shockwaves through English football. Arsenal fans were left fuming at Wenger for failing to reinforce the squad, while Sir Alex Ferguson’s United looked like early title favorites. This defeat ultimately forced Arsenal into emergency transfer business, bringing in the likes of Mikel Arteta, Per Mertesacker, and André Santos just days later. 

2) Manchester United 6-1 Arsenal (February 2001) 

Before the infamous 8-2, there was another Old Trafford drubbing that left Arsenal reeling. This match, played in February 2001, was a masterclass from Sir Alex Ferguson’s side as they tore apart their title rivals. 

The build-up to the game was intense. Arsenal, under Wenger, had been United’s main challengers for the Premier League title. But on this day, they were completely outclassed. United’s striking duo of Dwight Yorke and Andy Cole wreaked havoc on Arsenal’s defense, with Yorke netting a devastating first-half hat-trick. The Trinidadian striker opened the scoring in the third minute and doubled United’s lead soon after. Thierry Henry briefly gave Arsenal hope with a well-taken goal, but any thoughts of a comeback were extinguished when Yorke completed his hat-trick inside 22 minutes. 

The onslaught didn’t stop there. Roy Keane, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, and Teddy Sheringham all got on the scoresheet, making it a night to remember for United and a nightmare for the Gunners. By the final whistle, it was clear that United were on another level, and this result virtually ended Arsenal’s title hopes that season. The emphatic win showcased United’s attacking prowess and highlighted their superiority at the time. It also reinforced the fierce rivalry between Ferguson and Wenger, as the two managers would go on to engage in multiple title battles in the years that followed. 

3) Manchester United 2-0 Arsenal – The ‘Battle of Old Trafford’ (October 2004) 

Unlike the previous two matches, this one wasn’t about a humiliating scoreline but rather the sheer intensity and drama that unfolded. This encounter, famously dubbed the ‘Battle of Old Trafford,’ was one of the most heated games in Premier League history, bringing out the raw passion and animosity between these two clubs. 

Arsenal came into the match on a remarkable 49-game unbeaten run in the Premier League, having gone the entire 2003-04 season without losing. They were on the verge of reaching 50 games unbeaten, a milestone that would have further cemented their legacy as one of the greatest English sides ever. However, Manchester United had other plans. 

The match itself was a bruising contest, filled with aggressive tackles, heated confrontations, and a controversial refereeing decision that would change the game. The key moment came in the 73rd minute when Wayne Rooney went down under a challenge from Sol Campbell inside the Arsenal penalty area. The decision to award a penalty was hotly disputed, but Ruud van Nistelrooy made no mistake from the spot, putting United ahead. Arsenal, furious with the decision, pushed forward in search of an equalizer, but their frustration boiled over. Late in the game, Rooney sealed the win with a clinical finish, ensuring that Arsenal’s unbeaten streak ended at Old Trafford. 

The aftermath was just as explosive as the match itself. Arsenal players and staff confronted the referee, while tensions spilled over into the tunnel. Reports emerged that a slice of pizza was thrown at Sir Alex Ferguson during a post-match altercation, an incident that became known as ‘Pizzagate.’ This game marked a turning point in the rivalry. United had denied Arsenal the chance to reach 50 games unbeaten, and from that point on, the Gunners’ dominance faded, while Ferguson’s United continued to assert their supremacy in English football.