What happened to the Man Utd and Arsenal stars from the Battle of Old Trafford?

The true significance of the Battle of Old Trafford on September 21, 2003 only became apparent months later.

In the immediate aftermath it was just the latest instalment of a series of no-holds-barred clashes between Manchester United and Arsenal at the top of the Premier League table.

But when Arsene Wenger's 'Invincibles' completed the 2003-04 season undefeated, minds were cast back to that tumultuous afternoon at Old Trafford as the closest Arsenal came to losing.

Had Ruud van Nistelrooy not clattered the crossbar with his last-minute penalty - leading to the Dutchman being jostled aggressively by several Gunners players, especially Martin Keown - Arsenal's amazing unbeaten season may not have happened.

Earlier, Patrick Vieira had been sent off for kicking out at Van Nistelrooy while already on a booking, but in the end there were no goals.

As was standard in this fixture back then, the fall-out and recriminations from the drama went on for days and days as managers and players traded jibes amid high tensions post-match.

Arsenal's unbeaten league run ended up at an astonishing 49 games and was only ended when they lost at Old Trafford the following season - the infamous 'Battle of the Buffet' or 'Pizzagate'.

20 seasons on, Arsenal return to Manchester this Sunday seeking three precious points against a woeful United to keep alive their hopes of a first title in two decades.

Ahead of that, here's what each player who started the Battle of Old Trafford is up to now.

MANCHESTER UNITED

Tim Howard

A true baptism into English football for the American goalkeeper who'd only signed that summer.

Howard actually saved two Arsenal spot-kicks as United won the Community Shield the previous month.

Howard now works for NBC as a Premier League