Arsenal F.C.–Manchester United F.C. rivalry
United and Arsenal players prepare for a corner kick during a Premier League match on 19 November 2016. | |
| Teams | |
|---|---|
| First meeting |
|
| Latest meeting | 17 August 2025 Premier League Manchester United 0–1 Arsenal |
| Next meeting | 24 January 2026 Premier League Arsenal v Manchester United |
| Stadiums |
|
| Statistics | |
| Meetings total | 245 |
| Most wins | Manchester United (99) |
| Most player appearances | Ryan Giggs (50) |
| Top scorer | Wayne Rooney (12) |
| All-time series |
|
| Largest victory | 28 August 2011 Premier League Manchester United 8–2 Arsenal |
| Largest goal scoring | 28 August 2011 Premier League Manchester United 8–2 Arsenal |
| Longest win streak | 5 games[1] Manchester United (1983–1985) |
| Longest unbeaten streak | 9 games[1] Manchester United (1954–1958 and 1991–1995) |
| Current unbeaten streak | 7 games[1] Arsenal (2023–present) |
Arsenal Manchester United | |
Although Arsenal and Manchester United have frequently been in the same division in English football since 1919, the rivalry between the two clubs only became a fierce one in the late 1990s and early 2000s, when the teams regularly competed against each other for the Premier League title and the FA Cup. There was also an enmity between the managers, Arsenal's Arsène Wenger (1996–2018) and United's Sir Alex Ferguson (1986–2013), as well as club captains Patrick Vieira and Roy Keane.[2][3][4] Their contests often involved on-field trouble – seven red cards were shown in matches from February 1997 to February 2005.[5] The league fixture in September 2003, known as the "Battle of Old Trafford", was marred by a mêlée instigated by Arsenal players, who felt striker Ruud van Nistelrooy had cheated to get Vieira sent off. A season later, Manchester United ended Arsenal's unbeaten run in controversial circumstances, which led to more disorder, this time in the tunnel.
By 2008, former Arsenal player Lee Dixon noted that the rivalry had diminished.[6] Ferguson also stated that the two teams' meetings had cooled from their previous "heated" exchanges.[7] Other factors for the diminishing importance of the rivalry in the 2010s were the ascendancy of other clubs, including local rivals of both (Chelsea, Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester City).[8]
Arsenal and Manchester United first played a competitive match in October 1894; as of 17 August 2025, the clubs have faced each other 245 times, with United winning 99 games to Arsenal's 91, and 55 matches drawn. 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 at different stages of their career, including Brian Kidd, Andy Cole, David Platt, Robin van Persie, Danny Welbeck, Alexis Sánchez and George Graham.[9]
- ^ a b c Cite error: The named reference
mufcinfowas invoked but never defined (see the help page). - ^ Leach, Jimmy; Rice, Simon (29 April 2009). "The bitter rivalry between Arsenal and Manchester United". The Independent. London. Retrieved 9 August 2009.
- ^ "Ferguson and Wenger 'are friends'". BBC Sport. 23 October 2004. Retrieved 9 August 2009.
- ^ Palmer, Myles (24 October 2004). "Fergie owes knighthood to Wenger the 'flat-track bully'". The Observer. London. Retrieved 28 August 2017.
- ^ "Quiz: Manchester United v Arsenal: 14 red cards in the Wenger era – how many can you recall?". Eurosport. 17 November 2016. Archived from the original on 31 August 2017. Retrieved 30 August 2017.
- ^ A Davies, Gareth (15 February 2008). "Arsenal heroes relish rivalry with Man Utd". The Daily Telegraph. Retrieved 15 August 2009.
- ^ Cite error: The named reference
manutdwas invoked but never defined (see the help page). - ^ Moody, Jon (30 November 2017). "9 reasons the Arsenal vs Manchester United rivalry has died a death in recent years". Daily Mirror. Retrieved 26 December 2017.
- ^ "12 players who featured for both Arsenal and Manchester United – and where they performed best". The Telegraph. Retrieved 7 November 2017.