Don't you believe it!
The Reds equalled the 100-year record set by Billy Meredith and Co when they scored four for the fourth time on the bounce against Middlesbrough on Saturday.
Back in 1907 the sequence - of four or more in a game - was halted by Bolton at Bank Street.
Dynamo Kiev will be delighted United's Emirates visit comes before their return trip to Old Trafford, otherwise the 2007 Reds would have been odds-on to enter the club's record books.
Arsenal haven't conceded four at their new HQ, but the last team to beat the Gunners by that score at home - in February 2005 - was, guess who?
Two-goal Cristiano Ronaldo inspired a 4-2 win at Highbury and United even had Mikael Silvestre sent off!
And the Reds didn't have top scorer Ruud van Nistelrooy playing on that memorable night in North London.
In comparison, the current attacking strength is far superior.
The clock went back a hour on Saturday night, but Wayne Rooney and Carlos Tevez turned it back to those heady days of the Dwight Yorke-Andy Cole partnership.
Since the Anglo-Argentine union came together against Chelsea, they have scored nine goals between them in six starts. Exactly the same figures the Treble-winning combo achieved in their opening half-dozen games as a pairing.
To demote Nani's astonishing bullet in the third minute - along with the accompanying acrobatic flip - to runner-up in the highlights package took something special.
Savoured
But Rooney and Tevez's 55th link-up for the South American's first of the afternoon will be savoured a long time, and if it doesn't win the MOTD goal of the month for October, I can't wait to see the winner.
Typically, United spoiled Nani's sensational opener by going to sleep for a few minutes as their once-impenetrable defence allowed Jeremie Aliadiere to head home the equaliser between Rio Ferdinand and Nemanja Vidic.
Then Stewart Downing also stole in for a header that scraped just wide.
Allowing Arsenal such luxuries on Saturday will be suicidal.
But once United got their collective heads back together they were irresistible, with Rooney thundering in to capitalise on Downing's mistake to restore the lead.
The Rooney-Tevez double act was hotting up with some wonderful combination play that the Teessiders had no answer to.
Then came that magical third goal.
Rooney has admitted there exists a language barrier between him and his new sidekick but a grunt here and a nod there is all that's needed for them to gel on the pitch.
It was telepathic when Anderson clipped in a ball to Tevez and the Argentine cushioned a pass into Rooney's path.
Just as you expected the England hitman to bulldoze space for a left-foot crack, he back-heeled the ball into Tevez's run that he'd clocked out of the corner of his eye. The clinical, calm finish was a superb conclusion to a majestic move.
Tevez's second - inevitably assisted by Rooney - was mundane in comparison!
It's hard to imagine now that so many wondered about the possible lack of chemistry between two similar strikers.
Sir Alex Ferguson obviously never considered the two peas in a pod would be an alien alliance.
"The partnership is excellent. The third goal sums up the partnership," enthused the United manager.
"Quick thinking, great vision and the courage to do it. Wayne was in the box and he could have taken a touch. But he knows Carlos is making the run and the back-heel puts him in. There was imagination and the audacity of Wayne to back-heel it. It was a fantastic goal.
"It is difficult to say whether they are unstoppable. You have to remember they are young players. We want them to improve. Hopefully in a few years they are still here and still doing what we saw today."
For the moment, let's look forward to them still doing it at Arsenal on Saturday lunchtime.
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Showing comments 1 to 25 and replies | View All
Demo, Glossop (29/10/2007 at 11:47)
it was a delight to watch them both play against boro but SAF is right its early days to compare them v cole n yorke
Balders, Tier 2 Stretford (29/10/2007 at 11:57)
So... will SaF stick with the Roon/Tevez formation ? or will roon be asked to play more left to accommodate a 3 man CM of OH,anderson, giggs (or even fletch) ???
Red Dawn (29/10/2007 at 13:34)
We are playing very well, sure, but all our recent games have been against poor opposition, so Arsenal away is our first real test of the season.
What worries me most right now is how shakey our defense is looking. Having Evra back could change that, but we need to be really solid at the back come Saturday or Arsenal will cut us open.
Vidic was good in the air as per usual on Saturday, but what shocked me is how poor he was when in possession of the ball. He played the ball out when in possession, twice, where a simple clearance is all that was required. He doesn't look as confident since his injury.
Anderson picked up a knock aswell, but the manager thinks he should be ok.
Aslong as we don't lose the game on Saturday, I'll be happy, but we'll have to be on top of our game to get anything out of this one.
DC, Amsterdam (29/10/2007 at 13:49)
Seriously, have you ever heard such a furore about players being incompatible BEFORE they've even played together? They made more of a negative fuss over Roo-Tevez than they did over Roo-Owen!!!
FWIW, these guys look to have great and complementary attributes as footballers, which makes them such a potent force, but almost as important they seem to enjoy playing together the way Yorke and Cole did. Rooney seems to be playing far more consistently, plus they seem to play for each other so much more, they look out to pass to each other when they pick up the ball.
I believe we should stick with them against Arsenal, and have Tevez play that little bit deeper to harry and annoy their extra man in midfield.
Mick, Dublin (29/10/2007 at 14:08)
If fit, Hargreaves has to start, no doubt about it.
I think Tevez, Roo and Ron are also guaranteed a start.
Apart from these guarantees, the formation and line-up is all up in the air.
Does he go 433, with Hargreaves, Carrick and Giggs in midfield, behind Roo, Ron and Tev?
Or what about Anderson? Does he start? If so, ahead of who?
Or does Giggs join the front 3, with just two in central midfield? Amd if so, which two?
What's amazing (and pleasing) to me is that Fergie faces so many tough decisions and may need to drop quality players, who are bang on form, and all despite us being in the middle of an injury crisis!
If that's not the sign of an AWESOME squad, I don't know what is.
Roy (29/10/2007 at 14:57)
Arsenal vs. Man U will be extremely interesting and Sir Alex will have learnt a lot from how Rafa the Gaffer set up his team.
The running in the sides was non-stop and yet by the end Arsenal looked by far the fitter.
It will be a great test and Ronaldo will have a better game.
On Saturday nothing he did came off - I counted three misplaced passes after Utd scored the 4th. But he is entitled to an off-day and the great thing about Utd this season is that they are no longer so dependent on one or two players performing.
JonyB-), North Staffs (29/10/2007 at 14:59)
IMO the teams are very evenly matched up till the forward line!
Also their fluidity and ball retention and distribution have been corner stones in their forward play like ours!!
Of the key players possibly on show i would suggest we can beat their Van Persie/Fabregas super play with our trump cards of Tevez/Rooney & Ronaldo!!
First Goal again will be all important. But bigger than that will Wenger againout think SAF tactically??
I think Arsne will be smiling all the way to the bank if we play with fear and put in Fletcher as midfield protection at the expense of our forward players - although i to expect this!!
Ant, Manchester (29/10/2007 at 15:35)
However, if we play to our strengths, attack, attack,...while mainting our focus at the back....we will beat them. IMO, attacking wise, I think on current form we are the better team. I just hope we come away with at least a draw + convincing performance (ie. being the better team) or that we beat them. I have a feeling that it's going to be the latter! Bring it on!
Savant, Singapore (29/10/2007 at 15:35)
The only question is regarding the choice of Nani or Giggs. If SAF wants more attacking flair, he shd pick Nani. If he wants to slow it down a little, then Giggs with his experience will start.
The back 4 - No doubt if Evra is fit, then Vidic, Ferdinand and Brown.
I am quietly optimistic that Man Utd can break Arsenal like we did in their 49 match unbeaten run. 2-1 to us!
eddy01 (29/10/2007 at 15:41)
First, our solid defending has slipped. The Boro goal was awful - O'Shea being turned 1 way then the next and never getting near to closing down Tuncay, followed by Aliadiere being left in acres of space by Rio (he never even had to move to get the header). Vidic is looking shaky after his injury too.
Anyway - fingers crossed for a return to more solidity at the back.
The other concern is tactics. In the big away games last season SAF was putting Giggs in the middle and Rooney on the left. I hope and pray that we don't get that at Arsenal. Probably not, because of the Rooney/Tevez partnership flourishing but you never know.......
It doesn't really need saying but Giggs should never play as the 2nd striker, he should stay on the left.......
The reason for Arsenal playing 4-5-1 yesterday was Van Persie is injured and out for a few weeks.
Lee , Heywood, Heywood (29/10/2007 at 16:24)
tooth&claw, manchester (29/10/2007 at 16:54)
latiy2k, Toronto GTA (29/10/2007 at 17:03)
Finally, I expect SAF to pick Giggs to play on the left and play Roo, Ron and Tev. Our biggest concern is that Evra if fit to play. Last season we did not take our chances, this year we are stronger and more proficient.
adam chance, lowestoft, suffolk (29/10/2007 at 17:24)
Fair enough, a draw at Anfield isn't anything to be sniffed at, but at the moment the Scousers are woeful.
Considering they played a harder midweek game than Arsenal, and had to travel back from Turkey late Wednesday night-whereas the Gooners played at home a day earlier, I actually don't think yesterday's result is all that by a long shot.
In fact, that good looking rascal Riise should have put the dippers two up.
And when you think that Spurs and Brum also got draws at Anfield, do the math...
Basically, the Premiership fixtures computer threw up a nice run of games for Wenger's side pretty much up until December, therefore enabling them to build up a good head of momentum.
I'm not saying they haven't played some precocious stuff, but the two games where I thought they'd drop points-vs Blackburn and Liverpool away-they did.
Most of their games thus far have been at the Emirates, and in my opinion, their league form has levelled off a wee bit over the last couple of weeks or so.
The 2-0 at home to Bolton was hardly a world class display, and add this to a fortuitous 3-2 over Keano's Sunderland and a tight 1-0 over West Ham, then I'm not so sure this really is the kind of form of a side that has been touted as something between the Brazil '70 and Holland '74 outfits.
To be quite honest, I'm far more concerned about Arsenal next year...
This weekend, Fergie should be positive-and keep Anderson and Hargreaves in the engine room...its a horrendous football cliche, but at the moment, the team surely picks itself.
Can't help thinking that SAF might put Carrick back in the side for his experience at Anderson's expense.
Hope not, but either way, I'm confident that if the game descends into a shootout we'll come out on top, especially with Van Persie out...got a feeling that it could be 4-2 like that thriller in 2005.
Utd-For-Life, marseille ex-stretford (29/10/2007 at 17:59)
I think balders suggestion of Hargo, Anderson and giggs in the middle with rooney, ronnie and tevez upfront should see the gooners off nicely. A repeat of that 4-2 or the 6-2 a few years back would be icing on the cake.
Final word, nice to have the arsenal-united games back to top billing again. Two top teams, with some great players entertaining us with fantasy football. Can't wait to see what they're both made of next weekend. Hanson made a big deal of the liverpool v arsenal game over this weekend, but everyone knows that iverpool aint going to win owt this year. This is the game that everyone looks forward to.....
Red Rob (West Lower) (29/10/2007 at 18:49)
moe htet, 4ever united, Burma (29/10/2007 at 18:56)
it is the same case, roma played with extra midfielders.
Rooney
Giggs Tevez Ronaldo
-or-- --or---
Nani anderson
M carrik Owen H
O'Shear Viddich RIo brown
T.K
Peter Doherty. As good as it gets! Levenshulme. (Debt Free) (29/10/2007 at 19:40)
Invisible Man, Manchester (29/10/2007 at 19:49)
At very best our hopes are to get a UEFA cup slot. So I hope ypu beat the likes of Blackburn, Everton, Pompey etc. This gives us a better chance.
In Europe and the cups I hope you get stuffed every game but if you help us in the league I want you to win.
Now if Chelsea win the league by a point or even better on goal difference how completely stupid would you feel?
I would have thought City beating your rivals for the title would be better. I also thought liddle ciddeh didn't count as we weren't a real rival. If so why were you so very happy?
Is the POSSIBILITY of City becoming a potential threat scaring you that much?
My advice? Concentrate on those who can hurt you now. Worry about us later.
Steve Chew, usa (29/10/2007 at 19:49)
topdog, canada (29/10/2007 at 19:59)
Alias Smith, over the moon (29/10/2007 at 22:40)
By one account, we've got a defensive crisis on our hands, having now conceded one goal at home in six games!
On the other hand, Lee is predicting we'll win 2-0 at the Emirates against a team with a 100% record there this season! Lee, I like your style.
A draw for me will be an acceptable result although I do fancy us to sneak a win. I doubt very much these are two teams that will cancel each other out in terms of producing a dull low-scoring game so I'm going to predict a 2-1 win for United in an exciting game.
Wunderkid (30/10/2007 at 00:08)
I agree with Mick that Hargreaves should definitely start.
What we could do is play a 4-1-2-3 with VDS, Wes, Vid, Rio, Evra, Hargreaves, Anderson, Scholes, Ronaldo, Rooney and Tev.
Oni Andoko - Jakarta, Indonesia (30/10/2007 at 03:44)
Aliadiere goal was the fault of Vida & Rio. I'd rather to put fresher player with guts rather than playing Vida which in 70:30 condition.
Play Simpson & Pique (the talented rookie) alongwith Rio & Brown.
Vida should be on the bench for a while.
Have other say.
Ali the red, zed (30/10/2007 at 06:29)