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Martin Keown: This is why Manchester United beat Arsenal back in 1999
MANCHESTER UNITED were able to beat Arsenal in their infamous FA Cup semi-final in 1999 because of the “strength in depth” that the Red Devils had.
That’s according to former Arsenal man Martin Keown.
United play Arsenal on Friday evening in a crunch FA Cup clash that both sides will be desperate to win.
But the two sides have some prior history in the competition, playing out a historic battle in 1999.
United played Arsenal over two legs, winning 2-1 on aggregate after the first leg finished 0-0 at Villa Park
In the second leg, David Beckham opened the scoring before Dennis Bergkamp equalised in the second half.
Ryan Giggs, though, sealed the game for United in extra time, embarking on a mazy run before firing the ball into the top corner.
Keown, who played in the famous game, has given his reasoning behind the Gunners’ loss.
“I have watched it back but not in any great detail. Normally, I would try to ferry Giggs away from goal and tackle with my right foot,” he told the Daily Mail.
“When Giggs was charging towards goal, Dwight Yorke made a run to my right which threw me off my angle of approach.
“Giggs was then able to attack my weaker, left foot and I was not able to make the tackle.
“That goal was the turning point in the season. We were on for the Double and they were lining up the Treble.
“The big difference was that at that time, we did not have the same strength in depth as United.
“Alex Ferguson was able to call upon Giggs, Yorke and Paul Scholes.”
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer will be hoping he can maintain his side’s winning run when they travel to the Emirates on Friday night.
Arsenal’s home form, however, has been brilliant this season, only losing twice in all comps, to Manchester City and to north London rivals Tottenham.
The last time the two sides faced off in the competition, Arsenal came out on top, beating United 2-1 at Old Trafford in 2015.