Manchester United 8 Arsenal 2: Where Are the Red Devils' XI of 12 Years Ago?

• It's been 12 years since Manchester United whitewashed rivals Arsenal 8-2 at Old Trafford
• United legend Wayne Rooney scored a hat-trick, and Ashley Young hit a brace
• One player from each lineup went on to play for the opposing team

It's been 12 years since Sir Alex Ferguson led Manchester United to destroy rivals Arsenal 8-2 at Old Trafford in one of their heaviest Premier League defeats.

Wayne Rooney hit a hat-trick that day, including one from the spot, while Ashley Young scored a brace, and the other three goals came from different scorers. Robin van Persie and Theo Walcott scored for Arsenal.

Sports Brief looks at United's starting 11 that day, lined up in a 4-4-2 formation and where they are now.

Goalkeeper - David de Gea

It was the Spanish goalkeeper's first season in England, having joined from Atletico Madrid. David de Gea departed Old Trafford at the expiration of his contract at the end of last season after 12 years as the club's first choice in goal and was replaced by Andre Onana.

A list of players who played for Inter Milan and AC Milan

Football

Defence - Smalling, Jones, Young, Evra

The back four that defeated Arsenal that day had a mixed fortune. Patrice Evra retired in 2018, four years after leaving the club. Chris Smalling is at AS Roma, while Phil Jones is without a club after Leaving at the end of last season.

Jonny Evans played at West Brom and Leicester City after first leaving in 2015, but as reported by The Telegraph, he could be back at the club on a one-year contract after playing during pre-season.

Midfield - Nani, Cleverly, Anderson, Young

Tom Cleverly announced his retirement at the end of last season, while Anderson retired in 2020. Nani is at Adana Demirspor, his eighth club since leaving Manchester United in 2015. Ashley Young signed for Everton at the beginning of this season, having spent time at Inter Milan and Aston Villa since leaving Manchester United in 2020.

Tyrell Malacia's net worth, contract, Instagram, salary, age, stats, transfer news

Football

Forward - Rooney, Welbeck

Danny Welbeck joined Arsenal after leaving United in 2014 and currently plays for Brighton. Wayne Rooney played for Everton, DC United and Derby County before retiring. He is now a manager at DC, having previously managed Derby.

Only Fabio and Javier Hernandez are still active from the United bench that day, a substitute lineup that included legends like Rio Ferdinand and Ryan Giggs.

United fans debate Cucurella or Alonso

Sports Brief reported that Manchester United fans are split on Luke Shaw's replacement after the English full-back suffered a muscular injury and will be out for an extended period.

Former Chelsea full-back Marcos Alonso and current star Marc Cucurella are on the Red Devils' radar to replace Shaw, and the fans do not know which is a better fit.