Sir Alex Ferguson and Arsene Wenger were the best of enemies at the end of the 90s and early 00s when the pair managed by far the best two teams in England. Now though Ferguson has defended Wenger.
In the late 90s and early 00s there was basically only two teams that could win he Premier League. If it was one of the years that Manchester United didn't win the league then it was Arsenal who had got to the title instead.
The country came to a near stand still when the two team's faced each other in what were always dramatic matches and always seemed to be at the end of the season with something inevitably riding on the result.
It's not been a happy season for Wenger. Image: PA
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What really added to the intrigue and excitement around the matches was the rivalry between the two managers as each man tried to wade psychological warfare on the other.
Now United are barely half the side they were under Ferguson and Wenger and Arsenal look a shadow of their former selves as the Frenchman comes under constant attack by his own fans as whether he stays or goes at the end of this season.
The Gunners today missed out on Champions League football for the first time under Wenger's tenure at the club. And with many criticising the former Monaco manager it is his former foe Fergie who has defended him, talking to Sky Sports the Scott said:
"At the moment, of course, with the ridiculous situation of the pressure Arsene is under, I just wonder if they realise the job he's done. The most amazing thing about him is this: he has come through a forest of criticism for months now, and has never bowed.
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"He has seen it right through, he has shown a determination, a stubbornness. I think when you look at that, it's a quality, and I'm not sure they'll get another manager like that.
"It's quite easy to say 'Get rid of him', but who do you get? Who do you get in to keep that club the way they are for the next 20 years? I really feel sorry for him because I think he's shown outstanding qualities, and I think he has handled the whole situation. I don't know many that have done that."
Perhaps the greatest rivalry of the Premier League era was between the two managers more than anything else. Image: PA
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Wenger failed to qualify for the Champions League and even if he had managed it there still would have been lots of fans wanting him to leave the Emirates as there has been all season.
The club could still capture a trophy in the FA Cup final next weekend.
Will Wenger leave?
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