1. FA Cup Semi-Final Replay, Highbury 1999
Location Villa Park, it was the treble season and the year previously Arsene Wengers side had pipped United to the league. Having played out a one all draw at Old Trafford the replay game was set to be played after Arsenal scored in the dying minutes to equalise. The return fixture had been stirred up in the papers with plenty of choice words from both sides. United scored first with a lovely 25 yard strike from David Beckham but Arsenal were right back in the game when Dennis Bergkamp’s shot deflected in off Stam and passed Schmeichel. United had dominated the first half but Arsenal provided more threat in the second, Bergkamp’s goal coming near the 70 minute mark. With Arsenal looking stronger it was a huge blow when Phil Neville fouled Ray Parlour awarding Arsenal a penalty. Miraculously it was saved by Schmeichel who didn’t have a great record with penalties. United were down to ten men after Roy Keane’s dismissal after just 74th minute, things were certainly looking nervous. Schmeichel‘s save served to galvanise the team and took the game into extra time. Ryan Giggs came on as substitute for Jesper Blomqvist, it had surprised many that the Welshman hadn’t started but with United’s schedule and a tight hamstring there was no need to risk him. However he came on and didn’t make much of an impact. But as the match wore on he caught onto a weak pass of Vieira’s intercepting it before the halfway line and went on a dazzling run. Arsenals back four were intact but he got passed every player, some more than once jinking in and out. Ferguson and Mclaren were yelling for him to take it to the corner flag. But Giggs rifled it straight into the top corner. It’s one of the best ever United goals and it won the game. It was very significant in the season as it gave the team a lift and that confidence they needed to go onto make history.
2. Premier League, Highbury 2005
Dramatic is putting it lightly for this one, it was a thunderclap meeting between the sides and it was even more electrifying than usual. These fixtures with the old Arsenal were rarely if ever damp squibs. There was certainly plenty moments in this one, it even started off with Keane and Vieira’s bust up in the tunnel which served only to fire up the two sides- United most of all. Tackles flying all over the place and United came back twice to win 4-2. United were a man light after Mikeal Silvestre got sent off for head butting Freddy Ljunberg. Surprising really that all 22 players had remained on the pitch for so long- there were so many poor challenges and poor discipline. The match itself for all its friction was played at such a high pace, non-stop and end to end, the atmosphere in the stadium sounded electrifying. All the players played well, Ronaldo, Rooney and Fletcher particularly impressive. Giggs who more often than not turns it on against Arsenal didn’t disappoint scoring and assisting two. John O’Shea scored a delightful chip to round off a great match and certainly one of my favourites.
3. Premier League, Old Trafford 2001
Had to have a hammering in here somewhere and certainly got that in February 2001. Five goals in the first half, hammered the gooners that day for sure. Dwight Yorke who hadn’t played too much up til then having fallen down the hierarchy secured a hatrick after 22 minutes. Solskjaer capped the day off with the sixth goal, a very good day at the office that seen United climb sixteen points clear at the top of the table. Fair to say that United were really flying at this time but the match is well remembered for the first half performance. Team played very well and were so clinical, completely blew Arsenal away with a real glut of goals. Up until then United had, had a bit of a goal drought having scored only four in their last six- that certainly came to an end that day. Not a bad team for it come against either.
No comments:
Post a Comment