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Man Utd legend Van Nistelrooy revisits brutal clash with Arsenal icon Keown
RUUD VAN NISTELROOY has trodden over old ground by revisiting Manchester United’s brutal battle with Arsenal in 2003.
The fiery game saw Van Nistelrooy crash a penalty against the crossbar and Arsenal escaped with a point, which in turn was a key turning point in their ‘Invincibles’ campaign.
Martin Keown duly reacted by yelling before jumping on top of Van Nistelrooy in an effort to antagonise him.
And Van Nistelrooy, who was invited as a guest of honour by the Oxford Union this evening, admits he tried to block out the ‘craziness’ of the moment.
“Really? He'll probably be jumping all over me! That game was incredible. It was this unbeaten Arsenal side, a last-minute penalty and I hit the bar," Van Nistelrooy said as quoted by the Daily Mail.
“Then it went crazy, loads happened.
“The truth is, I wasn't aware because I was so gutted about missing the penalty. I couldn't care less what they were doing.
“I was in shock, thinking "I missed, I missed". Patrick Vieira was sent off, he was waiting in the tunnel but I couldn't care less. I walked past him.
“I barely ever missed. I was in the dressing room and trying to analyse what I did wrong. I took it too quickly.
“In those big moments, you have to take more care. I didn't settle and focus. I think Arsenal were a little obsessed with United at the time and with me.
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“I was never as involved with them as they were with me. There was always big build-up and media talk but on the pitch, I kept my calm usually. I don't have a problem with them. I miss the rivalry of course.”
Van Nistelrooy hit 150 goals in 219 appearances during a five-year spell with the Red Devils.