Martin Keown was one of the main protagonists in the 2003 Battle of Old Trafford, but the Arsenal star has no regrets for his actions when things go with Ruud van Nistelrooy and Man Utd. escalated
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We are approaching two decades since the infamous Battle of Old Trafford between Arsenal and Manchester United.
Martin Keown’s role in the post-game brawl remains significant after taunting Ruud van Nistelrooy after his late penalty.
However, the former Sagittarius does not regret the incident and insists that the Dutchman’s antics were what sparked what was to follow.
Arsenal and United were the two most important players in the Premier League at the time, and their games often somehow determine the goal of the title.
Arsene Wenger’s team would take the trophy eight months later in May after an unbeaten season.
It could have turned out very differently if the Red Devils had defeated their rivals in the sixth game of the campaign.
The fight appeared to end 0-0, with Arsenal undoubtedly pleased with the point after Patrick Vieira’s red card.
Martin Keown faced Ruud van Nistelrooy full-time
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Image:
Getty Images)
Patrick Vieira wasn’t impressed with the Man Utd star’s role in his layoff
But a foul on Diego Forlan gave Van Nistelrooy, who is usually so fatal at first sight, the chance for the three points.
However, his shot thundered over the bar and the game ended goalless – but the main action was about to begin.
Minds flared and when the dust settled, the FA incriminated six Arsenal players and fined £ 275,000 – a record to date.
Still, Keown, whose own ban cost him dearly, would do nothing else.
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“People say, ‘Do you regret it?’ I don’t really regret anything in my life, ”he told talkSPORT in September.
“You look back and if it was right then it was now. When I make my decisions, I am like that.
“I don’t really like what it could mean and what it then meant for the football club in terms of fines and bans.
“Lauren has four games, I have three games, Vieira has a game, (Ray) Parlor has a game – it’s amazing! You look back on it; Fines worth £ 275,000. People don’t know that I actually only make 25 percent which was like a flat fee.
The Frenchman’s red card made the guests very angry
“The rest, the remaining 75%, came in the form of performance fees. So it cost me a lot more. “
Parlor joked that Keown was the main instigator.
However, the center-back insists that Van Nistelrooy’s role at Vieira’s dismissal was the main reason behind the post-game clash.
The United frontman is accused of making a challenge seem worse than it was, which was not well received by the guests.
“You have to go all the way back until Patrick Vieira is sent away,” added Keown.
Tensions boiled over after the final whistle
“Ruud van Nistelrooy fakes an injury, you could say it was a cheat, he goes down and Patrick Vieira is sent off.
“After that it was like the Alamo because they saw that they had a chance to win the game. They had a sentence that could be argued was not a sentence that I am involved in.
“My teammates showed a few fingers, but he missed and then of course he really is the figure of hate.
“We were only in the position we feel because he sent one of our colleagues off the field.”
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