Manchester United vs Arsenal: H2H Record, Stats & 2026 Fixture

When Arsenal and Manchester United meet, the 246-match history between them produces moments ranging from landmark victories to infamous incidents—the Battle of the Buffet pizza flying toward Sir Alex Ferguson remains one of English football’s most vivid memories. This guide covers everything from the first meeting in October 1894 through the next scheduled fixture on 25 January 2026.

Total competitive matches: 246 ·
First match date: October 1894 ·
Iconic United win: 8–2 (2011) ·
Next fixture: 25/01/2026

The data in the following table comes from the Wikipedia rivalry page, which compiles results from multiple official sources.

Who is showing Man Utd v Arsenal?

Premier League fixtures between these clubs typically rotate across UK broadcasters. Sky Sports and TNT Sports hold the primary rights to live Premier League matches, while BBC offers free-to-air highlights through its Match of the Day programme. For the 25 January 2026 fixture, viewers should check official Premier League listings for confirmed broadcast details, as scheduling can shift between channels based on the match’s importance in the title race.

What channel is the Manchester United game on?

Manchester United fixtures appear across Sky Sports (Sky Go and NOW TV), TNT Sports (Discovery+), and occasionally BBC for selected games. The Premier League’s official website publishes weekly confirmation of which matches go to which broadcaster. Highlights packages typically appear on each broadcaster’s YouTube channels within hours of the final whistle.

How to watch Arsenal v Manchester United on TV?

UK viewers need a Sky Sports or TNT Sports subscription to watch live. NOW TV offers day and month passes without long-term commitment. BBC’s iPlayer carries Match of the Day highlights free of charge. International fans should check their local rights holders through the Premier League’s global broadcast map.

How many times has Manchester United beaten Arsenal?

As of 25 January 2026, the two clubs have met 246 times across all competitions. According to Wikipedia’s rivalry record, Manchester United have won 100 of those matches, Arsenal have won 91, and 55 have ended in draws. The data comes from the Wikipedia rivalry page, which compiles results from multiple official sources.

Breaking down the record by era reveals different patterns. Since 1995, in 73 games tracked by AiScore specialist football data, Manchester United won 31 of those meetings, Arsenal won 25, with 18 draws. United averaged 1.4 points per game in this period compared to Arsenal’s 1.2.

Manchester United vs Arsenal head to head

Individual records tell their own story. Wayne Rooney scored the most goals in the fixture with 12, while Ryan Giggs made the highest number of appearances with 50, according to Wikipedia. Both records reflect the longevity of these players at their respective clubs more than any single season dominance.

Arsenal F.C.–Manchester United F.C. rivalry record

The honours board also favours United. Manchester United have won 28 English league titles compared to Arsenal’s 13, and United have lifted the FA Cup 17 times to Arsenal’s 10, according to MUFC fan wiki. The rivalry intensified around 1990 after a brawl between the teams, despite the clubs having been in the same division since 1919.

Legendary United boss Sir Alex Ferguson stated he believes the rivalry kicked off in its modern form in 1987 when Arsenal’s David Rocastle was involved in a challenge that sparked heated exchanges with United players. Sir Alex Ferguson went on to manage United through most of the rivalry’s peak decades.

— Sir Alex Ferguson, Manchester United Manager, via Sporting News

When did Man U beat Arsenal 8-2?

Manchester United’s 8-2 win over Arsenal came in the 2011/12 Premier League season. The match, played at Old Trafford, remains United’s highest scoring result against Arsenal in their competitive history. Football.co.uk’s head-to-head records confirm this as the highest aggregate score in United’s favour.

What’s Man U’s biggest win vs Arsenal?

The 8-2 result from 2011 stands as United’s largest winning margin, but the highest aggregate score in the fixture actually belongs to Arsenal’s 6-2 victory against Manchester United in the 1990/91 season, according to Football.co.uk. The two clubs have traded heavy defeats across different eras.

Manchester United F.C. 8–2 Arsenal F.C.

The August 2011 match featured Ashley Young scoring twice and Danny Welbeck adding another, with Arsenal’s Theo Walcott among those caught out by United’s pace on the counter. The result came during a period when United were rebuilding under Sir Alex Ferguson, and Arsenal were adjusting to life after several key departures. The scoreline shocked observers given both clubs’ standing at the time.

Has Arsenal ever won at Old Trafford?

Yes. Arsenal won 1-0 at Old Trafford on 12 May 2024, with a second-half goal giving Arsenal all three points against Manchester United in a Premier League match, as reported by Sporting News. More recently, Arsenal won 2-0 at the Emirates Stadium on 4 December 2024, as both clubs built toward the 2025/26 season.

Arsenal have now won six Premier League games against Manchester United

Arsenal have accumulated several wins at Old Trafford across Premier League history. The 2024 victory marked one of several successful visits, with the 1-0 result in May 2024 particularly significant given the stage of the season. The two clubs have met regularly at United’s home ground since the early 1990s, with results varying based on form and manager.

Has Arsenal ever won Man U 39-0?

The 39-0 score is a myth. No competitive match between Arsenal and Manchester United has ever finished 39-0, and no credible historical record supports this result. The rumour reportedly originated from a match on 9 September 1920 that has been misremembered or exaggerated over time, according to Football Ticket Pad history outlet. Official records from the era show no match approaching this margin.

Manchester United thought they were going to be the team to win it at the death this time through Alejandro Garnacho, though a VAR check revealed he was offside. The finish was confirmed as the Brazilian forward netted in a match that continued the clubs’ recent pattern of close results.

— Sports Illustrated (established sports publication), match report
For those interested in the historical context of such rivalries, the FIFA Klub-Weltmeisterschaft Tabelle 2025 provides a detailed look at past encounters.

Who threw pizza at Alex Ferguson?

The infamous “Battle of the Buffet” occurred on 26 October 2004 when Arsenal visited Old Trafford. After United equalised late in stoppage time, objects including a pizza were thrown from the away end toward Sir Alex Ferguson on the touchline. Wikipedia’s Battle of the Buffet entry documents the event, which led to significant disciplinary action from The FA. United won the match 2-0.

Who is Man U’s biggest rival?

Manchester United’s traditional primary rival is Liverpool, with the two clubs contesting what is often called English football’s biggest rivalry. However, the rivalry with Arsenal has grown significantly since the late 1980s, driven by competing ambitions for league titles and memorable on-field incidents. Sir Alex Ferguson himself identified the 1987 incident involving Arsenal’s David Rocastle as the point where the modern rivalry with Arsenal began, according to Sporting News.

Battle of the Buffet incident

The 2004 incident escalated after a challenge on United’s Ruben Amorim led to a confrontation involving players and staff from both sides. When United equalised in the 90th minute through Wayne Rooney, away fans threw food and objects toward the technical area. Several Arsenal players were punished, and the club was fined. The match is remembered as one of the lowest points in modern Premier League conduct between top clubs.

Manchester United vs Arsenal comparison

Five key metrics show how the clubs compare across competitive history, with honours and individual records included for context. The comparison table draws from MUFC fan wiki and Wikipedia rivalry page.

The implication: while United hold the overall advantage in both wins and honours, Arsenal have narrowed the gap in recent seasons, particularly at Old Trafford where they claimed all three points in May 2024.

Key dates in the Manchester United vs Arsenal rivalry

Five moments that shaped the rivalry, from its Victorian origins to the 2026 fixture. The timeline sources include MUFC fan wiki and Sporting News.

The pattern: the rivalry has moved from occasional Victorian-era meetings to one of the Premier League’s most consistent and heated fixtures, with intensity peaking around title-deciding moments in the 1990s and 2000s.

What we know and what remains unclear

For viewers planning to watch the 25 January 2026 fixture, the scheduling and broadcast details are worth tracking through the Premier League’s official channels in the weeks ahead. Whether United can improve their recent record or Arsenal continue their upward trajectory, the fixture rarely disappoints.

Related reading: West Ham vs Liverpool F.C. Standings: H2H Records & Results

United’s historical edge shines through in the Arsenal vs Man Utd standings, aligning perfectly with our tally of 100 wins across 246 clashes since 1894.

Frequently asked questions