Arsenal hero Martin Keown apologised to Manchester United icon Ruud van Nistelrooy on Saturday, more than 21 years after the duo were involved in an infamous clash on the Old Trafford pitch.

The two men came face-to-face at the King Power Stadium ahead of Leicester’s Premier League match against the Gunners.

Keown and Van Nistelrooy both appeared to be in good spirits as they shook hands ahead of the game.

And the former defender insisted he was sorry for his heated actions during Arsenal’s 0-0 draw with United in September 2003.

“Martin, you okay? Good to see you,” Van Nistelrooy began as the Dutchman joined Keown and Joe Cole for an interview ahead of kick-off.

Keown responded: “Nice to see you after all these years.” The Leicester boss replied: “It’s been a while eh? I’ve seen you once, at Villa Park, remember?”

And the ex-Arsenal centre-back exclaimed: “Apologies for all of the shenanigans that went on back in the day.”

Arsenal visited Old Trafford during the early stages of the 2003/04 season as the Red Devils’ biggest title rivals.

And after Van Nistelrooy had cannoned a penalty off the crossbar, Keown took delight as he bounded into the striker and shouted in his face.

The miss ensured the Gunners took a point away from Old Trafford and allowed them to go on a run that saw them become the only team in Premier League history to go an entire season without losing a single game.

The achievement has never been matched, with Arsenal winning the title by 11 points that campaign.

“Hey what happens on the pitch stays on the pitch,” Van Nistelrooy continued as he addressed the Old Trafford incident. Keown then exclaimed: “I thought you were going to stamp on me.”

Cole joked: “He’s never apologised for kicking me, ever.” And Van Nistelrooy added: “I’m happy that I have him in front of me, not at the back of me. No it was good. They were good rivalries weren’t they?”

Keown agreed: “Great days. I’m glad you’re standing there and not next to me because you used to love to stamp on me.” And the Dutchman finished: “I liked to block you out as well and then fall over.”

Van Nistelrooy bagged 150 goals in 219 appearances for United during a five-year spell in England before leaving the club to join Real Madrid in 2006.

He returned to Old Trafford to become Erik ten Hag’s assistant last summer and was placed in temporary charge of the team following his compatriot’s departure.

The 48-year-old wasn’t included in Ruben Amorim’s backroom set-up, however, and took charge at Leicester in December, a month after leaving the Red Devils.