Five of the best cup clashes between Arsenal and Man United | OneFootball

Arsenal host Manchester United in the FA Cup’s third round today, a fixture steeped in history and rivalry.

The two most successful sides in the competition’s history collide at the Emirates, in an early round encounter between two of English football’s giants.

Ahead of their meeting in North London, we’ve looked back on some memorable cup contests between the sides.

Five of the best cup clashes between Arsenal and Manchester United

Manchester United 2-3 Arsenal – FA Cup final (1979)

Arsenal’s win over Manchester United in the 1979 decider is remembered as the “The Five-Minute Final”.

The Gunners had taken a two-goal lead into half-time through Brian Talbot and Frank Stapleton, but a stirring fightback brought Manchester United level with just minutes to go.

Trailing 2-0 with just four minutes to go, Gordon McQueen scored from a set-piece before Sammy McIlroy’s individual effort levelled just moments later.

The momentum appeared with Manchester United but there was one final twist in the tale. Liam Brady’s cross caught out Gary Bailey in goal as Alan Sunderland steered in a dramatic 89th-minute winner for the Gunners.

Arsenal 1-2 Manchester United – FA Cup semi-final (1983)

The first of several unforgettable FA Cup semi-final games between the teams at Villa Park.

Gary Bailey, at fault for Arsenal’s final winner four years earlier, made another error as Tony Woodcock opened the scoring for Arsenal. A defensive mix-up saw Woodcock react quickest to poke over the line from close range.

Bryan Robson levelled for Manchester United with an angled finish, before 17-year-old Norman Whiteside lashed in a left-footed volley to send United back to Wembley. Ron Atkinson’s side beat Brighton in a replay to claim the cup.

The Red Devils had also eliminated Arsenal from the semi-finals of the League Cup but lost that decider to Liverpool.

Arsenal 1-2 Manchester United – FA Cup semi-final replay (1999)

Arguably the most memorable cup contest between the teams, Ryan Giggs’s glorious goal kept Manchester United on course for treble success at Villa Park. After a goalless draw in the first fixture, the replay between the sides had it all.

A red card, a last-gasp penalty save, and one of the greatest goals in FA Cup history.

Goals from David Beckham and Dennis Bergkamp had the semi-final poised at 1-1 before Roy Keane’s red card handed Arsenal the advantage. Phil Neville’s clumsy challenge then handed Arsenal a stoppage-time penalty, but Peter Schmeichel saved from Bergkamp to force extra time.

In the additional period, Giggs scored the defining goal of his illustrious career. The Welsh winger intercepted a slack pass from Patrick Vieira and embarked on a stunning solo run, beating four Arsenal defenders before smashing the ball past David Seaman. United’s 10 men had triumphed with Giggs’ famous shirtless celebration iconic FA Cup imagery.

Manchester United 0-2 Arsenal – FA Cup fifth round (2003)

Arsenal got one over their old rivals en route to FA Cup success in the 2002/03 season.

Edu and Sylvain Wiltord scored the goals to secure a 2-0 win at Old Trafford, with Ryan Giggs guilty of a bad miss for Manchester United.

The contest became famous after the full-time whistle, however, when Sir Alex Ferguson’s fury sparked a fallout. In anger, the Scot kicked a stray boot that caught David Beckham on the eyebrow to send the tabloids into a frenzy. With tensions between the two already high, Beckham departed in the summer to sign for Real Madrid.

Arsenal 0-1 Manchester United – FA Cup semi-final (2004)

Paul Scholes’s strike ended Arsenal’s hopes of repeating Manchester United’s treble triumph in 2004.

Arsenal arrived into the semi-final still unbeaten in the Premier League, with the Gunners in the midst of their ‘Invincibles’ campaign under Arsene Wenger.

Scholes struck the decisive goal on 31 minutes from close range, to seal a place in the final against Millwall. Arsenal twice hit the woodwork but could not find a route past Roy Carroll in goal.

United held on to end Arsenal’s treble challenge, which unravelled further following a Champions League exit to Chelsea just three days later.

Read – Five of the biggest FA Cup third round upsets

See more – Eight moments that defined Arsenal and Man United’s classic rivalry

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