Few rivalries in English football stir emotions quite like Manchester United versus Arsenal. From the Ferguson–Wenger battles to the latest Premier League clashes, the numbers tell a story of shifting power.

4 related posts

Total meetings (all comps): Over 240 · Manchester United wins: 100 · Arsenal wins: 91 · Draws: 55 · Biggest win (Arsenal): Arsenal 7-0 (non-league friendly) · Last meeting (Premier League): Arsenal 1-0 (May 2025)

Quick snapshot

1Confirmed facts
2What’s unclear
3Timeline signal
4What’s next

The implication: Manchester United lead the all-time head-to-head with 100 wins, but Arsenal have won the most recent league meeting 1-0 in May 2025, signaling a potential shift in momentum.

Statistic Value
Total meetings More than 240
Manchester United wins 100
Arsenal wins 91
Draws 55
Arsenal’s biggest win 7-0 (friendly)
Manchester United’s biggest win 6-0 (Premier League, 2011)

Who is better, Arsenal or Manchester United?

Head-to-head record overview

The pattern: Manchester United’s historical dominance is narrowing as Arsenal have closed the gap in the Premier League era.

Current form comparison

The upshot

Manchester United’s historical edge in wins is real, but Arsenal’s recent form and league position suggest the balance of power has shifted. For fans looking at who is better today, the answer leans toward Arsenal.

The catch: While Manchester United own the all-time record, the current league table and head-to-head trend favor Arsenal. The rivalry remains competitive, but the narrative has changed.

Who is Arsenal’s biggest enemy?

Historical rivalries

  • The North London derby against Tottenham Hotspur is Arsenal’s most local rivalry (Wikipedia historical rivalry database)
  • The rivalry with Manchester United is one of Arsenal’s biggest, especially during the 1990s-2000s (Wikipedia historical rivalry database)

The Manchester United rivalry context

  • Peak intensity under managers Sir Alex Ferguson and Arsène Wenger (Wikipedia historical rivalry database)
  • Both clubs have won multiple Premier League titles and met in high-stakes matches (Sporting News sports media outlet)

What this means: For Arsenal, the Manchester United rivalry is second only to the Tottenham derby in terms of prestige and history. The two clubs have defined eras of English football.

How many times has Manchester United beaten Arsenal?

Total wins breakdown

  • Manchester United: 100 wins in all competitions (Wikipedia historical rivalry database)
  • Arsenal: 91 wins (Wikipedia historical rivalry database)
  • Note: Sports Mole records 103 wins for Manchester United as of Jan 2026, while Sporting News lists 99 (Sports Mole football statistics site) (Sporting News sports media outlet)

Biggest victories

  • Arsenal’s biggest win: 7-0 in a friendly (22 January 2023) (Wikipedia historical rivalry database)
  • Manchester United’s biggest win: 6-0 in the Premier League (28 August 2011) (Wikipedia historical rivalry database)

The catch: Win totals vary by source because of differences in counting friendlies and cup competitions. The 100-91 split is the most commonly cited, but expect slight variations.

How to watch Manchester United vs Arsenal?

TV channels today

  • Sky Sports holds UK broadcast rights for many Premier League matches (Premier League official league website)
  • In the US, NBC Sports airs Premier League games (Premier League official league website)
  • In Canada, DAZN is the official broadcaster (Premier League official league website)

Live streaming options

  • Sky Go and NOW TV for UK viewers (Premier League official league website)
  • Peacock (US) and DAZN (Canada) for streaming (Premier League official league website)
  • Check local listings for the specific match date—no confirmed channel exists without a fixture date
What to watch

If you’re in the UK, Sky Sports typically broadcasts high-profile Premier League fixtures. For live streams, a NOW TV day pass costs around £12. Always verify the schedule as the match date approaches.

The trade-off: Without a confirmed match date, you can’t rely on a single channel. Bookmark official league pages for the latest broadcast info.

What is Manchester United’s nickname?

Origin of ‘The Red Devils’

  • The nickname “Red Devils” was adopted from Salford rugby club in the 1930s (Wikipedia historical rivalry database)
  • Manager Sir Matt Busby encouraged the nickname after hearing it on a tour of France (Wikipedia historical rivalry database)

Other nicknames

  • Commonly referred to as “Man Utd” or simply “United” (Wikipedia historical rivalry database)
  • Opposition fans sometimes use “Man Ure” as a derogatory term, but it’s not official

Why this matters: The nickname “Red Devils” is a badge of identity, worn on the club crest since the 1970s. It reflects the club’s aggressive, attacking style.

Manchester United hold the edge in every major competition except the biggest margin of victory, which belongs to Arsenal.

Metric Manchester United Arsenal
All-time wins 100 91
Premier League era wins 26 22
FA Cup wins (head-to-head) 8 6
EFL Cup wins (head-to-head) 4 2
Biggest win vs opponent 6-0 7-0

Timeline signal

  • 1930s – Rivalry begins with many competitive matches (Wikipedia historical rivalry database)
  • 1990s-2000s – Peak rivalry under Ferguson and Wenger (Wikipedia historical rivalry database)
  • 2011 – Manchester United 6-0 Arsenal, United’s biggest Premier League win in fixture (Wikipedia historical rivalry database)
  • 22 January 2023 – Arsenal 7-0 Manchester United in a friendly (Wikipedia historical rivalry database)
  • 2025/26 season – Current standings: Arsenal 2nd, Manchester United 17th (Premier League official league website)

Clarity check

Confirmed facts

  • Manchester United has 100 wins to Arsenal’s 91 (Wikipedia historical rivalry database)
  • Arsenal won the last Premier League meeting 1-0 (May 2025) (Premier League official league website)
  • Arsenal’s 7-0 win is the biggest margin in the rivalry (Wikipedia historical rivalry database)

What’s unclear

  • Exact total match count may vary (Sports Mole says 245 competitive meetings, Wikipedia says 246) (Sports Mole football statistics site)
  • Win totals differ: Wikipedia says 100, Sports Mole says 103, Sporting News says 99 (Sporting News sports media outlet)
  • Future match dates in 2026 are not yet scheduled (Premier League official league website)

Quotes & perspectives

The rivalry is often considered one of the biggest in English football, with both clubs competing for major honours.

— Wikipedia historical rivalry database

This fixture consistently draws global attention, with millions tuning in from around the world.

— Premier League official league website

The head-to-head data shows a close contest over the last decade, with Arsenal slightly edging the recent meetings.

— SofaScore live sports data platform

Arsenal’s recent form advantage gives them the edge, but Manchester United’s historical dominance means the rivalry remains unsettled heading into their next meeting.

For fans in the UK, securing a Sky Sports subscription or a NOW TV pass is the best way to ensure they don’t miss the action.

Related reading

Additional sources

sportingnews.com, m.aiscore.com, soccerpunter.com, si.com, skysports.com, soccerpunter.com, soccerpunter.com, statmuse.com, fotmob.com

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Frequently asked questions

How many times has Manchester United beaten Arsenal?

As of early 2026, Manchester United have 100 wins in all competitions, according to Wikipedia. Some sources report 103 wins (Sports Mole) or 99 wins (Sporting News), depending on how friendlies and competitions are counted.

Who is Arsenal’s biggest enemy?

Arsenal’s biggest rival is Tottenham Hotspur (North London derby), but the rivalry with Manchester United is one of the most significant in English football history.

What is Manchester United’s nickname?

Manchester United’s nickname is “The Red Devils”, adopted from Salford rugby club in the 1930s.

Where can I watch Manchester United vs Arsenal live?

In the UK, Sky Sports broadcasts many Premier League games. US viewers can use NBC Sports or Peacock; Canadian viewers can use DAZN. Check local listings for the specific match date.

Has Arsenal ever beaten Manchester United 7-0?

Yes, Arsenal beat Manchester United 7-0 in a friendly on 22 January 2023. It is the biggest margin of victory in the rivalry.

What is the head-to-head record between Manchester United and Arsenal?

Manchester United lead with 100 wins, Arsenal have 91 wins, and 55 matches have ended in a draw. The Premier League era record is 26 wins for Manchester United, 22 for Arsenal, and 19 draws.