‘United and Arsenal was the big one!’

Scholes came up against Arsenal 31 times, with his 19-year United spell seeing him go into battle against some fine names.

Patrick Vieira and Emmanuel Petit were World Cup winners and pivotal to Wenger’s first Double-winning side, while Ray Parlour and Gilberto Silva were also fierce competitors.

In later years, flair players like Robert Pires, Freddie Ljungberg and Cesc Fabregas would be direct opposition for Scholes, but he always comes back to Vieira – probably the defining player of the rivalry, along with Keane – when the question of toughest Arsenal opponent is raised.

“Vieira and Petit were both brilliant players. I’d say Vieira was probably the most awkward one to play against. He was so tough but also rangy, long legs.

“He could run, he could play, very physical as well. But I didn’t mind. The way I played, it didn’t really affect who I came up against. It’s not as if I had to beat a man or be stronger.

“I just had to use my brain and stay away from them when I had the ball. I’d say Vieira was a top-class player and someone that was difficult to play against.”

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