The world of football has seen many rivalries, but few have been as intense as the one between Manchester United and Arsenal. This article delves into the perspective of Ryan Giggs, a key player in this rivalry, who once revealed his strong dislike for four specific Arsenal players.
During the late 1990s and early 2000s, Manchester United and Arsenal were frequently locked in fierce Premier League title battles. These matches were characterized by aggressive play, spiteful exchanges, and even violent clashes on occasion. Tensions often ran high even before both teams emerged from the tunnel with players squaring up to each other in an attempt to provoke reactions.
In a 2019 reflection on these heated encounters, Giggs shed light on just how personal this rivalry became for him.
The four players Giggs hated
Giggs' animosity was particularly directed towards four key players from Arsenal - Dennis Bergkamp, Patrick Vieira, Emmanuel Petit, and Robert Pires. In an interview with Daily Mail he said,
Ryan Giggs, Manchester United legend, said:
“I didn’t like Arsenal. I didn’t like Vieira because he was dirty and got away with murder. I didn’t like Petit because he had long hair. I didn’t like Bergkamp. I didn’t like Pires even though when you meet him now he’s actually dead nice. I wouldn’t even look at them, didn’t know them, and didn’t want to.
“I wouldn’t allow myself to rate any of them. Bergkamp? Nah, I told myself he wasn’t as good as Eric Cantona. I wasn’t really that kind of person. It wasn’t really me. But you had to get that in your head, that intense dislike. It was pure motivation. But deep down, we knew they were top-drawer, and that rivalry was everything to us—deeper even than Liverpool at that time.”
This statement underscores just how deeply rooted his feelings were during these competitive years.
Memorable moments against North Londoners
Despite his bitter feelings towards certain members of their team, Giggs had many memorable moments against the North Londoners. Perhaps most famous among them was his wonder goal during extra time in the 1999 FA Cup semi-final replay.
Giggs picked up the ball around 60 yards from goal before charging down the left side of Arsenal’s defence. He skillfully weaved through three players before firing a shot into the top corner of near post - a moment that remains etched in football history.
Ryan Giggs added:
“I kept giving the ball away, so I went back to instinct. I ran. At the time, I thought the goal was OK. Only later did I realise how far out I was when I got the ball. Roy Keane was sitting in the dressing room when I got in. He said, ‘Here he is, the f****** saviour.’ The other lads were celebrating, but because it was the winner, not because it was a worldie.”
The rivalry between Manchester United and Arsenal, as seen through the eyes of Ryan Giggs, is a testament to the passion and intensity that characterizes football. The personal animosities, heated encounters, and memorable moments all contribute to making this one of the most unforgettable rivalries in sports history.
