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When Patrick Vieira walks out of the tunnel at Old Trafford on Sunday afternoon, it will bring back plenty of memories for the Arsenal legend.
As a player he enjoyed and endured plenty of huge matches against Manchester United, with goals, red cards and plenty of angry exchanges.
Now, he will be wearing a suit rather than his kit, and walking to the away dugout as a manager rather than a fiery midfield general.
Here, Sportsmail takes a look back at his previous flashpoints against Manchester United – and why he’d dearly love to spoil Ralf Rangnick’s first game…
Patrick Vieira is now Crystal Palace manager and preparing to return to Old Trafford
Vieira made his name fighting against United – and old rival Roy Keane in particular
The long-range screamer
The date is November 8, 1997, and Arsenal are second in the Premier League table, behind only Manchester United. The Red Devils travelled to Highbury knowing they could extend their lead at the top to a huge seven points – almost unheard of at that stage of the season.
The task for Arsenal? Hunt them down. With a win, the gap would be reduced to just a single point, but it would take a very special performance from Arsene Wenger’s side.
It started well with Nicolas Anelka putting the home side ahead, before Vieira produced a moment of magic from just outside the area. A Ray Parlour corner was headed away to the edge of the box, not at all at Vieira’s feet, but the Frenchman proceeded to get round the ball before unleashing a stunning effort, which flew in off the underside of the crossbar.
Cue pandemonium in the crowd as the midfielder sprinted away, tongue out, for a knee-slide in front of the dugouts.
A Teddy Sheringham double got United level in the game, but Arsenal secured a late winner courtesy of David Platt… and the Gunners went on to win the Premier League title, a point ahead of their bitter rivals.
In 1997, Vieira unleashed a ferocious strike to put Arsenal 2-0 up against…
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Source : dailymail
