'Campbell didn't speak to me for half a year'

The recently played Manchester United – Arsenal derby was a poor reminder of the really heated matches which happened at the beginning of the 21st century, when the Red Devils and the Gunners were fighting for titles. Now, it’s just a game with a romantic sound to it, but not really a proper derby. United finished the season in 15th place and isn’t a championship caliber type of team for years. The Gunners raised their levels significantly since Mikel Arteta came back and finished in the second place for three consecutive seasons. But former players, many of whom are now TV pundits still look at those glory days with a romantic ‘glasses’ and always come up with some kind of stories from those games.

Manchester will be better but not yet - Arsenal win at Old Trafford

Without a doubt, the two most interested (and heated) derbies between Manchester and Arsenal were the one when Patrick Vieira and Roy Keane conflicted in the tunnel just before the game and off course the famous ‘Pizzagate’.

“'When I joined United, it was the big rivalry we had. I used to love playing against them, but it has died down a little bit now. I remember my first game at Highbury for United was the one with Roy and Vieira in the tunnel. You can feel the game was on a knife-edge and even the referees got it. We had the Fabregas one with Ferguson in the tunnel - with him throwing a pizza at Ferguson. There were fights in the tunnel where everyone was involved” remembers Wayne Rooney.

Good old derby days: Remember when sir Alex was struck by pizza?

Former United player talked about one particular situation in his ‘Wayne Rooney Show’ on BBC. It was the famous game at Old Trafford in 2004 in which the Red Devils ended Arsenal’s 49 game unbeaten streak and Cesc Fabregas threw pizza slice at Sir Alex Ferguson. The game hero was Wayne Rooney who scored the second goal in injury time, but also helped his team with the opening score as well. He fell in the penalty area after a tackle from Sol Campbell and the referee pointed at the spot.

Amorim after losing: We can beat anyone?!

Rooney revealed that Arsenal defender thought he dived and didn’t speak to him for half a year.

“It was a big game for Arsenal. If they had won it, it was 50 games unbeaten for them. We beat them 2-0 and Campbell did not speak to me for over six months. We met up during international duty and Sol won't speak to me. Sometimes, I was with Sol and I'd say to him: 'Come on man, we are playing for England here'. But he wouldn't speak to me because he felt I dived. He left his leg out and I think there was a small contact” said Rooney. It was those times when there was no VAR and Ferguson struck fear among referees, so almost any contact involving United players usually ended up as a penalty for United.

ENGLISH PREMIER LEAGUE - MATCHDAY 1

Friday

Liverpool - Bournemouth 4-2 (1-0)

/Ekitike 37, Gakpo 49, Chiesa 88, Salah 90+4 - Semenyo 64,76/

Saturday

Aston Villa - Newcastle 0-0

Brighton - Fulham 1-1 (0-0)

/O'Riley 55 pen - Muniz 90+6/

Sunderland - West Ham 3-0 (0-0)

/Mayenda 61, Ballard 73, Isidor 90+2/

Tottenham - Burnley 3-0 (1-0)

/Richarlison 10,60 Johnson 66/

Wolverhampton - Manchester City 0-4 (0-2)

/Haaland 34,61 Reijnders 37, Cherki 81/

Sunday

Chelsea - Crystal Palace 0-0

Nott.Forest - Brentford 3-1 (3-0)

/Wood 5, 45+2, Ndoye 42 - Thiago 78(p)

Man.Utd. - Arsenal (0-1)

/Calafiori 13/

Monday

22.00: (2.50) Leeds (3.25) Everton (2.90)

***odds are subject to change***