The Red Devils went on to win 4-2 but the encounter before the match set the precedent for the 90 minutes to come.

And now Gary Neville – part of the United starting line-up on the day – has shed new light on the argument.

“I just remember in these footsteps behind me Vieira shouting ‘Neville, Neville, you’re not going to kick our players out on the pitch’,” he said.

“Roy turned back and heard him and started having a go at him. Vieira then squirted his water bottle at him and all hell broke loose.

“Everyone got pulled back and it was a bit of nothing really but I’ve never seen Arsenal like that.

“People say you win the game in the tunnel. Well, I’m not sure that was far wrong.

“We went out on the pitch knowing we were the better team, knowing that we were physically tough and wouldn’t get roughed about.”

The clip then shows Neville and Vieira exchanging a cold handshake on the pitch before kick-off.

“The handshake was a bit more prolonged but what I was saying is ‘you can shout all you like but there’s football to be played and I’m not going to be introduced with what you’re saying’.”