Ferguson said one Arsenal vs Man Utd feud was caused by bizarre Wenger transfer

 

Arsene Wenger and Sir Alex Ferguson had one of the fiercest rivalries in Premier League history.

 

As Arsenal face Manchester United on the opening day of the 2025/26 season, many thoughts will be given to the clashes between the two legendary managers.

 

 

Wenger and Ferguson appreciated each other’s mastery, but were far too competitive to communicate it at the time of their peaks in the Premier League.

 

Given the changes between the two clubs over the years, it’s amusing to look back on the history of the rivalry, with one story encapsulating the feud between Ferguson’s United and Wenger’s Arsenal.

 

Sir Alex Ferguson questioned Arsenal’s dislike of Ruud van Nistelrooy

Arsenal vs Manchester United, a clash of the ages and one that brings unforgettable memories to fans of both clubs.

 

One of the most humorous, but at the time, fiery, was the 2003 ‘Battle of Old Trafford’, a fixture that Ruud van Nistelrooy played a starring role in.

 

The Dutchman faked being kicked by Patrick Vieira, causing the midfielder to be sent off and sparking the first major brawl of the contest.

 

 

In the dying embers, United then won a penalty, a spot kick that Van Nistelrooy missed to the delight of Martin Keown.

 

Van Nistelrooy was taunted by the Arsenal squad that day, and his falling-outs with the Gunners didn’t end on that occasion.

 

In October 2004, Arsenal lost 2-0 against United in a match that also saw Van Nistelrooy make the headlines, a contest of high emotion later referred to as the ‘Battle of the Buffet’.

 

Cesc Fabregas infamously threw a slice of pizza at Ferguson, but it wasn’t the post-match handbags that the Scotsman was questioning.

 

“I don’t understand why they target Ruud,” Ferguson asked after the game.

 

“I think they have a problem with him. I know Wenger had a chance to sign him. It could be that.”

 

Ferguson was right, Wenger did take a look at Van Nistelrooy, but chose Francis Jeffers instead, as the Frenchman admitted in 2001.

 

“We were considering Ruud van Nistelrooy and Francis Jeffers, and, in the end, we went for Jeffers.”

 

Arsenal v Manchester United

 

Francis Jeffers and Van Nistelrooy were no match

Wenger had some astonishing success with transfers at Arsenal, but also had some nightmares.

 

Jeffers certainly fell into the nightmare category, particularly as he was chosen over Van Nistelrooy.