6 Manchester United Players I Absolutely Cannot Stand (1998–2025 Edition)

6 Manchester United Players I Absolutely Cannot Stand (1998–2025 Edition)

(aka The Hall of Fame of Hatred)

Ruud van Nistelrooy

Crime Vieira breathes near him, ponytail boy hits the deck like he’s been shot.

The king of the penalty spot and patron saint of feigned injuries. Let’s not sugarcoat it – this man was enemy number one during the early 2000s.

He baited Vieira. He dived. He missed that penalty in the Battle of Old Trafford and got a mouthful from Keown, who nearly took flight with rage.

Unforgivable stuff.

Verdict Serial shithouser. Forever booed.

Wayne Rooney

Crime Dive FC Captain. Looked more like Shrek than Shrek looked like Shrek

He’s the reason the Invincibles run ended. That shameless swan dive in 2004 after Sol Campbell barely breathed on him? Despicable.

Combine that with his meat-and-potatoes playing style and love for booting people, and he was tailor-made to wind up Arsenal fans.

Verdict Cheated history. That alone seals it.

Gary Neville

Crime Everything.

Chronic fouler. Anti-Arsenal wind-up merchant. Certified Arsenal hater

Used to treat Reyes (RIP) like a training dummy – and got away with it. Celebrated goals against Arsenal like he’d won the lottery and punched a Gooner baby in the same minute.

Verdict The embodiment of United smugness and snideness.

Cristiano Ronaldo

Crime Too good, too smug, too shiny.

He ripped Arsenal to shreds in the 2009 Champions League semi-final. The knuckleball free-kick. The counter-attack goal. It hurt. 

The posing. The pouting. The look-at-me celebrations.Verdict Talent admired. Ego despised. Personality of a selfie stick.

Bruno Fernandes

Crime Penalty merchant. Whiner-in-chief.

It’s not just the numbers – it’s the constant complaining, the finger-pointing, and the face that always looks like he’s been fouled by gravity. Captain of the “Ref! Ref! Did you see that?” brigade.

He plays like a kid who owns the ball and cries if you don’t let him take every shot. Scores a pen, acts like he cured world hunger.

Verdict VAR’s favourite son. Arsenal’s least favourite midfielder.

 Honourable Mentions

  • Roy Keane – A personal feud with Patrick Vieira so intense it needed a documentary
  • Darren Fletcher –  Played like prime Gattuso only against Arsenal.
  • Jesse Lingard – Moonwalked on the hallowed Emirates Turf. FML.
  • Ole Gunnar Solskjær – Smiles like a child. Killed us like a sniper.