Manchester United will take on Arsenal at Old Trafford this coming weekend in a very rare position.
For the first time in living memory, Manchester United might actually be underdogs against the Gunners on home turf.
It is a situation reflective of the two team’s situations. Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal are on a winning run and chasing the title, while Erik ten Hag’s Manchester United have won only one of the last seven league games, and are floundering in eighth place.
We are a long way from the famous day in 2011 when Sir Alex Ferguson’s Manchester United side thrashed Arsene Wenger’s Gunners 8-2, a scoreline which will never be forgotten by fans of either team.
Ashley Young recalls 8-2 win
Manchester United tore Arsenal apart at Old Trafford with a sensational performance against a woeful visiting team.
The United line-up was far from the strongest Sir Alex Ferguson put out during his time at the club.
De Gea; Evra, Evans, Jones, Smalling; Anderson, Cleverly; Young, Rooney, Nani; Welbeck.
Evans is the one holdover still at the club after returning to Manchester United last summer, but it was a different teammate who has been discussing the famous victory.
Ashley Young spoke to Sky Sports this week, and he has particularly fond memories of the game.
Young scored two spectacular goals in the win, his first for Manchester United since signing from Aston Villa.
He explained: “That game there was phenomenal, it went down in history for the right reasons.
Reflecting on his goals, he commented: “That was a trademark finish, cutting inside, in at the far post.
“It was fantastic to get on the scoresheet that day.”
Manchester United won last game at home to Arsenal
The 8-2 win feels like a long time ago for Manchester United, showing everything which was special about Sir Alex Ferguson’s team.
He did not have many of his top stars on the pitch with Rio Ferdinand, Nemanja Vidic, and Dimitar Berbatov among those missing, while Ryan Giggs began the game on the bench, and yet, Ferguson’s system and team ethic was so effective that he could slot players straight in and still produce big results.
It is a long way from what we see today as Manchester United prepare to face Arsenal, being a team devoid of an effective structure, the very opposite of Arsenal.
But the last time the two sides met atOld Trafford, Manchester United ran out 3-1 winners, with Antony netting on his debut, and Cristiano Ronaldo contributing an assist.
That feels almost as long ago as the 8-2 win. Manchester United need to turn back the clock this coming weekend.