THE VITRIOL OF OLD HAS RUN ITS COURSE BUT REDS MUST KEEP PACE

LONG before a truce was called and back when Sir Alex Ferguson and Arsene Wenger rubbed against each other like sandpaper, Wenger revelled in Arsenal's maiden win over United at the Emirates Stadium.

- SAMUEL LUCKHURST

Thierry Henry's headed winner in January 2007 marked the first added-time winner United had conceded in the Premier League era. There would not be a second until 2019.

Wenger suggested United had tired. Ferguson fumed at that analysis, labelling Wenger 'petty.

"It's a load of nonsense. We were all gutted to lose at Arsenal and all disappointed. But to criticise our stamina is absolute nonsense.

"I am not sure what he is doing or why he has done it. I think he is just trying to make himself look great again, you know. It is all 'Look at me, I am the great Arsene Wenger," said Ferguson.

Ruben Amorim's United head to the 18-year-old stadium amid more questions over their running. This time from their own head coach.

Amorim mentioned United players' dubious work rate unprompted at his first two pre-match press conferences.

Mikel Arteta was seen as a blueprint for United to follow under Erik ten Hag - things having to get worse before they get better, patient recruitment and climbing the Premier League ladder to become a serious side again.

Ten Hag passed the point of no return to make United a credible force again a year before he cleared his desk at Carrington.

In his first encounters with Arsenal, United won at Old Trafford and arrived in north London in January 2023 six points behind the leaders.

That was the closest they ever came to earning the status of title challengers.

"I think he's done an amazing job," Amorim said of Arteta.