The fixture between Arsenal and Manchester United has produced one of the most vibrant and fierce rivalries in the Premier League since its inception, extending the history and legacy predating the competition. While it has diminished in its intensity over the years due to both clubs not being at the top of the ladder in the past decade, the face-off remains an unmissable one for the fans and neutrals alike. It still creates sparks along with United’s North-West rivalry with Liverpool, or the Manchester derby with City and Arsenal’s London derbies with Tottenham Hotspur and Chelsea. The rivalry reached its peak in the late 1990s, early 2000s and 2010s when both were direct competitors for the Premier League title and also dominated the English football genre. It produced the era of the iconic managerial rivalry between Arsene Wenger of Arsenal and Sir Alex Ferguson of Manchester United. This clash has produced some iconic moments in Premier League history, be it United’s overall dominance in this fixture, the glitz at Old Trafford, Arsenal’s redemption at Highbury and later Emirates, the fiery Keane-Vieria clash in the tunnel in 2005 or the controversial transfers between both clubs involving Robin Van Persie and Alexis Sanchez.
Here are the frequently asked questions (FAQs) about the history of the fixture between Arsenal and Manchester United in the Premier League:
When was the first Premier League match between Arsenal and Manchester United played?
The first Premier League game between Arsenal and Manchester United was played on 28 November 1992 at Highbury Stadium in the inaugural season. United won the match 1-0, thanks to a goal scored by Mark Hughes in the 27th minute.
How many times have Arsenal and Manchester United played each other in the Premier League?
Arsenal and Manchester United have played each other 66 times in the Premier League.
Which team has won the most Premier League matches between Arsenal and Manchester United?
The team with the most wins in Premier League matches between Arsenal and Manchester United is Manchester United, who have 26 victories. Arsenal is not too far behind, having accumulated 22 wins.
Which team has carried the longest unbeaten streak in the Premier League matches between Arsenal and Manchester United?
The team with the longest unbeaten streak in Premier League matches between Arsenal and Manchester United is Manchester United, with eight matches, between 2002 and 2006 and between 2011 and 2015.
Which team has registered the most consecutive wins in the Premier League matches between Arsenal and Manchester United?
Arsenal holds the record for the most consecutive wins in Premier League matches against Manchester United, with four (21 January 2023 – 4 December 2024).
Which team has scored the most Premier League goals in the matches between Arsenal and Manchester United?
The team that has scored the most Premier League goals in the matches between Arsenal and Manchester United is Manchester United, with 88 goals, at least 11 more than Arsenal.
Which team has kept the most clean sheets in the Premier League matches between Arsenal and Manchester United?
The team that has kept the most clean sheets in the Premier League matches between Arsenal and Manchester United is Manchester United, with 18.
What is the highest winning margin in Premier League matches between Arsenal and Manchester United?
The highest winning margin in Premier League matches between Arsenal and Manchester United is the latter’s 8-2 victory on 28 August 2011 at Old Trafford.
Who has won the most Premier League matches between Arsenal and Manchester United as a player?
Ryan Giggs of Manchester United has won the most Premier League matches between Arsenal and Manchester United as a player, with 11 victories.
Who has scored the most Premier League goals in the matches between Arsenal and Manchester United as a player?
Wayne Rooney of Manchester United has scored the most Premier League goals in the matches between Arsenal and Manchester United, with nine. He is also the all-time top scorer in this fixture in all competitions with 12 goals.
Who is the all-time top goal scorer for Arsenal against Manchester United in the Premier League?
Thierry Henry is the all-time top scorer for Arsenal against Manchester United in Premier League matches, with eight goals.
Who has scored the most goals in a single Premier League match between Arsenal and Manchester United as a player?
Rooney, in the 8-2 win in 2011 and Dwight Yorke, in the 6-1 victory in 2001, are the players who have scored the most goals in a single Premier League fixture against Arsenal for Manchester United, with three (hat-tricks).
Who has made the most Premier League appearances in the Premier League matches between Arsenal and Manchester United as a player?
Ryan Giggs of Manchester United has made the most appearances in Premier League matches between Arsenal and Manchester United as a player, with 36. He also holds the record for the most appearances in this fixture's history with 50.
Who is the youngest player to feature in the Premier League matches between Arsenal and Manchester United?
Bukayo Saka is the youngest player to feature in the Premier League matches between Arsenal and Manchester United at the age of 18 years and 25 days in 2019.
Who has kept the most clean sheets in the Premier League matches between Arsenal and Manchester United as a player?
Peter Schmeichel of Manchester United has kept the most clean sheets in Premier League matches between Arsenal and Manchester United as a player, with five.
Who has managed the most Premier League games between Arsenal and Manchester United?
Arsene Wenger has managed the most Premier League games between Arsenal and Manchester United with 57.
Who has won the most Premier League games between Arsenal and Manchester United as a manager?
Sir Alex Ferguson has won the most Premier League games between Arsenal and Manchester United as a manager, with 17, despite managing 25 games fewer than Wenger.
