The Dramatic Ending Of Manchester United vs Arsenal In 2003 Is Going Viral - It's Still An Insane Watch

The dramatic finale of Manchester United 0-0 Arsenal in 2003, dubbed the 'Battle of Old Trafford', is going viral and it's still a fascinating watch.

United and Arsenal were the Premier League's top dogs in the early 2000s and slugged it out at the top on a regular basis.

By the time 2003 rolled round, they were the bitterest of enemies. Things would escalate on one particular September afternoon.

Arsene Wenger brought his side to Old Trafford knowing a draw, even that early in the season, would be a good result.

Both sets of players flew into challenges and tensions reached a boiling point with ten minutes to go.

Gunners captain Patrick Vieira was sent off after kicking out at Ruud van Nistelrooy, despite not making contact with the striker.

🔴⚪️ The most heated ending to a football match since I can remember. The streets won’t forget this type of rivalry 💯⚪️🔴 pic.twitter.com/aBgqTSrZd4

— GoonerNick (@nickvann1987__) March 29, 2022

Van Nistelrooy made sure referee Steve Bennett saw what was going on and it started a huge melee.

Vieira made a beeline for van Nistelrooy before being stopped by opposing captain Roy Keane.

Arsenal looked ready to see the game out until Diego Forlan was hauled down by Martin Keown in added time.

Bennett pointed to the spot and up stepped van Nistelrooy to take the penalty.

He famously cannoned his spot kick against the bar and Arsenal's players, especially Keown, would never let him forget about it.

It started yet another wild brawl as Gary Neville and a young Cristiano Ronaldo darted over to defend their teammate.

Neville could be seen getting into it with Ray Parlour in the background as Keown was dragged away by Ashley Cole.

Van Nistelrooy was ironically the calmest man on the pitch. Maybe he knew the wrath of Sir Alex Ferguson awaited in the dressing room?

The FA fined Arsenal a whopping £175,000 in the aftermath for their conduct, the largest fine dished out to a club.

Lauren, Ray Parlour, Keown and Vieira were all given one to four match bans and Lauren was hit the hardest.

Following the penalty decision, Lauren was judged to have kicked out at Quinton Fortune in addition to pushing van Nistelrooy.

Jens Lehmann was also suspended but that charge was dropped and Ashley Cole received a £10,000 individual fine.

Ryan Giggs and Ronaldo were the two men punished on the United side of things, receiving £7500 and £4000 fines respectively.

Phil Neville was warned about his future conduct but he and brother Gary faced no further consequences.

Keown discussed the incident years later and believe it all started after van Nistelrooy attempted to fake an injury.

"You have to go back to Patrick Vieira being sent off. Ruud van Nistelrooy feigns injury," the 55-year-old told talkSPORT in September.

"You could say it's cheating. And Patrick Vieira is sent off, and then after that it's like the Alamo because they saw they have a chance to win the game.

"Yeah there's a penalty which you could argue wasn't a penalty that I'm involved in. A few finger pointing from some of my team-mates and then he misses and then he's the figure of hate really, because we're only in that position we feel because he's got one of our colleagues sent off."

They don't make them like this anymore, do they? United and Arsenal face off on April 23 in a game that could be massive for this season's top four race.

Safe to say there won't be eight players charged at the conclusion of that contest.