Ahead of Arsenal’s upcoming match against Leicester, Martin Keown took a moment to apologize to Ruud van Nistelrooy for the infamous incident that occurred during the “Battle of Old Trafford” in 2003.
The Old Trafford Showdown That Sparked Tensions
The two former rivals were involved in a heated altercation in September 2003 during a match between Manchester United and Arsenal.
The game ended in chaos, with Keown being fined for striking Van Nistelrooy in the back after the final whistle.
At the time, Arsenal were second in the Premier League and on an unbeaten run that stretched back to the previous season, while United trailed in third.
The tension reached its peak when Manchester United were awarded a last-minute penalty after Keown fouled Diego Forlan.
After Van Nistelrooy missed the penalty, Keown couldn’t help but mock the Dutch striker by laughing in his face.
Keown and Van Nistelrooy Reconnect Years Later
Over two decades after the dramatic clash, Keown and Van Nistelrooy had the chance to reconnect, this time on live television.
They exchanged pleasantries before addressing the past.
“Good to see you,” said Van Nistelrooy with a smile, offering his hand for a handshake.
Keown responded, “Nice to see you after all these years.
Apologies for all the shenanigans that went on back in the day.”
Van Nistelrooy, ever the good sport, dismissed the tension, saying, “What happens on the pitch stays on the pitch.
I’m happy that I have him in front of me and not at the back of me. It was a good rivalry, wasn’t it?”
Keown, still with his signature sense of humor, joked, “Oh, great days.
I’m glad you’re standing there and not next to me because you used to love to stamp on me.”
Van Nistelrooy laughed, adding, “I would like to block you out as well and then fall over.”
The Fire That Fueled the Feud
Tensions during the infamous “Battle of Old Trafford” were further escalated by an earlier incident in the match.
Van Nistelrooy had clashed with Arsenal’s captain, Patrick Vieira, which led to Vieira being sent off after a second yellow card.
Arsenal players felt that Van Nistelrooy had exaggerated the contact, leading to a deepening rivalry between the two sides.
After Van Nistelrooy missed his penalty, Keown was the first to confront him, followed by a group of Arsenal players including Lauren, Ray Parlour, Ashley Cole, and Kolo Toure.
The Arsenal squad surrounded Van Nistelrooy, with Keown even appearing to strike the United forward in the back with his forearm.
The confrontation was a chaotic scene with both teams clashing, resulting in fines, suspensions, and bans for several players.
Aftermath and Consequences of the Clash
The fallout from the altercation was significant.
Keown was handed a three-match ban and a £20,000 fine, while Lauren faced a four-match ban and a £40,000 fine.
Parlour and Vieira also received charges for improper conduct and missed a game each.
On the United side, Ryan Giggs and Cristiano Ronaldo were both fined for their involvement in the brawl.
Despite the financial and disciplinary repercussions, Arsenal went on to become the Premier League champions that season, earning £17.25 million in prize money as part of their legendary “Invincibles” campaign.
Van Nistelrooy Now Faces a New Challenge with Leicester
Fast forward to 2025, and Van Nistelrooy’s career has taken a dramatic turn.
The former United star, who once fought for Premier League titles, now faces the challenge of keeping Leicester City in the top flight.
As his side prepares for a crucial match against Arsenal, Van Nistelrooy’s team is hoping to climb out of the relegation zone with a win, proving that the tables have turned both on and off the pitch.
This article was published on TDPel Media. Thanks for reading!
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