Keown Apologizes to Van Nistelrooy After 22 Years

Martin Keown apologized to Ruud van Nistelrooy for their infamous altercation during the 'Battle of Old Trafford' in 2003, when Arsenal and Manchester United clashed in a goalless draw. The apology came 22 years later at the King Power Stadium, where Keown, now a TNT Sports pundit, met Van Nistelrooy, the Leicester manager, ahead of a Premier League match against Arsenal. Their infamous clash began after Van Nistelrooy missed a penalty, leading to Keown and other Arsenal players confronting him aggressively. The pair exchanged pleasantries, reflected on their intense rivalry, and emphasized that their on-field antics should remain in the past. Both Keown and Van Nistelrooy reminisced about the intense competition between their clubs and expressed fondness for the rivalry, now viewing it with humor and camaraderie. This meeting symbolized a reconciliation of sorts, burying the hatchet after more than two decades.