Heated Rivalry

Ruud van Nistelrooy has stoked the fires ahead of next week's showdown with Arsenal insisting he loves beating The Gunners.

United travel to Highbury next Tuesday in what is always an explosive meeting between the two arch-rivals.

There has been bad blood between the two sides for some time with the infamous food fight at Old Trafford last season as well as the bust-up in the tunnel between Patrick Vieira and Roy Keane prior to the game at Highbury last term.

Van Nistelrooy has found himself caught up in the controversy in the last few meetings with former Gunners skipper Vieira and Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger accusing the Dutchman of cheating.

The former PSV Eindhoven hit-man believes the ill-temper between both sides has eased in the last 12 months, but blamed Arsenal for causing the trouble in the first place.

"There have been a lot of incidents over the past few years," said van Nistelrooy. "The Arsenal manager [Arsene Wenger] has said certain things in the press. It was the Arsenal camp that especially created a bad atmosphere.

"They are the cause of the ill-tempered games. The edge has gone off it a bit now, but I do love to beat Arsenal - I can't deny that."

Meanwhile, Jose Antonio Reyes has admitted he is happy to be only facing one Neville brother in next week's clash.

The Spaniard was given a rough ride by Gary and Phil Neville in last season's defeat at Old Trafford and the striker is pleased he will only have to deal with Gary, with Phil now having moved onto Everton.

"I've still got the scars from that game," said Reyes of last season's clash at Old Trafford.

"I'm just glad only one Neville will be coming to London with United - but I hope this game will not have any violence in it.

"Games against United are always special. They beat us twice last season, but we got our revenge in the Cup final."

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