Time has a way of changing perspectives, even when it comes to heated football rivalries.
More than two decades after one of the Premier League’s most infamous clashes, Martin Keown extended an apology to Ruud van Nistelrooy for his actions during the 2003 ‘Battle of Old Trafford.’
The unexpected moment came ahead of Arsenal’s upcoming match against Leicester, where Van Nistelrooy now leads the team from the dugout.
The Clash That Defined a Rivalry
Back in September 2003, Manchester United and Arsenal faced off in a tense Premier League showdown.
The Gunners were in top form, holding an unbeaten record, while United trailed closely behind in third place.
The game reached its boiling point when a late penalty was awarded to United after Keown fouled Diego Forlan.
Van Nistelrooy stepped up to take the crucial spot-kick, but his miss triggered chaos.
Keown, rather than walking away, jumped towards the Dutch striker, taunting him in an aggressive and theatrical display.
A Heated Encounter and Its Aftermath
The hostility didn’t come out of nowhere.
Earlier in the match, Van Nistelrooy had been involved in a controversial incident with Arsenal’s Patrick Vieira, which led to the Frenchman receiving a second yellow card and being sent off.
Arsenal players felt Van Nistelrooy exaggerated the contact, making him a villain in their eyes.
When the final whistle blew, tensions erupted.
Keown led a group of Arsenal players, including Lauren, Ray Parlour, Ashley Cole, and Kolo Toure, in surrounding Van Nistelrooy.
The Arsenal defender even appeared to strike the striker in the back with his forearm.
Lauren pushed him, while Parlour and Cole hurled verbal abuse and shoved him.
The United star, however, didn’t retaliate, walking away as the situation escalated into an all-out brawl involving players from both sides.
The Fallout: Fines and Suspensions
The Premier League wasn’t about to let the melee go unpunished.
Keown received a three-match ban and a £20,000 fine, while Lauren faced a four-match suspension and a £40,000 penalty.
Parlour and Vieira were also sanctioned, each missing a game.
United players weren’t entirely off the hook either—Ryan Giggs and Cristiano Ronaldo received fines for their involvement.
Arsenal, as a club, bore the brunt of the punishment, slapped with a £175,000 fine for failing to control their players.
However, that season ended in triumph for the Gunners, who went on to complete their legendary ‘Invincibles’ campaign, winning the league without a single defeat.
Burying the Hatchet on Live TV
Fast forward more than 20 years, and Keown and Van Nistelrooy found themselves face-to-face on live television.
The moment was a mix of nostalgia and awkwardness as the former rivals exchanged pleasantries.
“Good to see you,” Van Nistelrooy said with a smile, extending his hand.
“Nice to see you after all these years,” Keown replied before adding, “Apologies for all of the shenanigans that went on back in the day.”
Van Nistelrooy took it in stride, brushing off the past with good humor.
“What happens on the pitch stays on the pitch,” he said.
“I’m happy that I have him in front of me and not behind me. It was a good rivalry, wasn’t it?”
Keown, laughing, admitted, “Oh, great days. I’m glad you’re standing there and not next to me because you used to love to stamp on me.”
“I would like to block you out as well and then fall over,” Van Nistelrooy chuckled, showing that time had softened any lingering grudges.
Van Nistelrooy’s New Challenge
While their playing days are long behind them, Van Nistelrooy is now focused on a different kind of battle—keeping Leicester City in the Premier League.
His team is currently in the relegation zone, but a win against Arsenal on Saturday could lift them out of danger.
As for Keown, his days of on-pitch confrontations may be over, but his passion for the game remains strong.
Watching these two former rivals put the past behind them was a reminder that, in football, even the fiercest battles eventually fade into history.
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