From the archives: Arsenal’s last Old Trafford clash on opening day

Saturday, August 19th, 1989 - Manchester United v Arsenal

When Arsenal made their way to Old Trafford on the opening day of the season, they did so as the reigning champions. Micky Thomas' iconic injury-time goal at Anfield which snatched the First Division title from the grasp of Liverpool was still fresh in the memory.

United, on the other hand, had just finished the 1988/89 season in 11th place. That was in Alex Ferguson's second full year in charge (he took the job in November 1986). Surely, if Ferguson was managing in the modern era, he would not have been in the dugout for this one.

George Graham selected a familiar starting eleven: John Lukic, Lee Dixon, David O'Leary, Tony Adams, Nigel Winterburn, Brian Marwood, Kevin Richardson, Michael Thomas, David Rocastle, Paul Merson, Alan Smith.

Ferguson had spent heavily in the summer, bringing in England international Neil Webb from Nottingham Forest for £1.5m and Mike Phelan for £750,000. He would go on to sign Gary Pallister for a club record fee of £2.3m later in August.

United make a fast start to the 1989/90 season

The match started badly for Arsenal when Steve Bruce headed in a driven corner by Lee Sharpe to give the home side a 1-0 lead inside the second minute.

Arsenal goalkeeper John Lukic kept the Gunners in it a few minutes later, saving at the feet of Bryan Robson from close range.

United were handed a soft penalty when Tony Adams was adjudged to have pushed Bruce over in the box, following a poor headed clearance by Kevin Richardson.

Again Lukic was the hero. Diving low to his left, he not only stopped Brian McClair's tame effort, but also held on to the ball. Incredibly, this was the third time that Lukic had saved a penalty against Manchester United at Old Trafford.

Rocky smashes Arsenal level

Arsenal got themselves back on level terms after 22 minutes when David Rocastle turned in a Brian Marwood corner.

United may have thought they had dealt with the chipped ball in to the near post but Mark Hughes' defensive header fell at the feet of a grateful Rocastle, who drilled home the leveller.

It was a lead that Arsenal would hold on to until well into the second half.

Half-time: Manchester United 1-1 Arsenal

Tony Adams and Paul Merson were replaced at half-time by Gus Caesar and Perry Groves respectively. Reasons for the substitutions are unclear but neither player looked injured and it is unlikely that Graham made the changes for tactical reasons.

United got their noses in front after 63 minutes when Mark Hughes took a pass from Michael Duxbury on the half turn and then hit a rasping shot under Lukic.

Debutant Neil Webb made matters worse with a stunning goal in the 79th minute. Webb controlled a strong headed clearance by Caesar on his chest, just outside the penalty area on the right hand side. Then, as the ball dropped, he struck a sumptuous curling right-foot volley past Lukic and into the far corner.

Brian McClair atoned for his penaly miss late on with a goal of his own making. After Caesar had failed to dispossess the Scotsman with a slide tackle on the edge of the area, McClair shot early into the top left hand corner of Lukic' net.

Full-time: Manchester United 4-1 Arsenal

Despite the disappointment of the opening day defeat, Arsenal went on to have a better season than their opponents. Although they could not make a challenge for the title, as Liverpool came back from a devastating season strongly, the Gunners finished fourth while United could only manage to finish thirteenth.

Had United failed to win the FA Cup final, Ferguson would almost certainly have been out of a job. The rest they say, is history.

One-nil to the Arsenal

So, wherever you are on Sunday: whether you are sat safely in your seat in the away end at Old Trafford; or down the pub with your mates watching on the big screen; or maybe even curled up on your sofa at home watching on telly, spare a thought for what we endured in the 80's.

Arsenal have won five times at Old Trafford in the Premier League. All five times, they have won one-nil. I'm sure, we'd all take a similar result on Sunday.