Decades of abuse ...and a one-day LOVE-IN

AFTER decades of abuse and acrimony, a truce was called between Arsene Wenger and Manchester United on his final visit to Old Trafford.

Wenger had been forced to endure appalling vitriol, some so unpalatable that Sir Alex Ferguson once called publicly for it to stop.

But here, with Wenger visiting the famous stadium as Arsenal boss for the 28th and last time, rivalries were put aside as United fans greeted the Frenchman with a standing ovation when he emerged from the tunnel and walked down the touchline.

Wenger, no doubt bemused by the new-found respect, showed his acknowledgment with several polite waves.

There was more to come before kick-off, Sir Alex making a presentation to Wenger on the pitch (circle), the pair eventually joined by a reluctant Jose Mourinho (top), three managerial greats joined in mutual appreciation. After the pleasantries, old hostilities were resumed, with United fans launching into a rendition of the Vieira song about him giving Ryan Giggs the ball and Arsenal winning “f**k-all”.

Away fans responded by reminding their United counterparts about clinching the title at Old Trafford in 2002, as well as a jibe about the sleepy atmosphere at the Theatre of Dreams.

Wenger did not emerge from the dug-out until United went ahead, throwing a hand up in disgust at abject defending.

The goal prompted a mocking chant of “Arsene Wenger, we want you to stay”, although Arsenal’s line-up, chosen with Thursday’s Europa League tie at Atletico Madrid in mind, did not yield the expected glut of goals.

Instead, Arsenal equalised. But ultimately he left as a loser again, appropriately enough in ‘Fergie time’.