MAN UNITED 2-0 ARSENAL: FANS THROW PUNCHES DURING PRESEASON FRIENDLY

Manchester United and Arsenal rivalry is renowned for being feisty. However, it appears the tension spread from the pitch to the stands during their preseason friendly on Saturday night. 

The Gunners lost a 2-0 defeat to the Red Devils at MetLife Stadium as they continued their pre-season tour Stateside. This was after a 5-0 trouncing of the MLS All-Stars earlier in the week. It was a physical encounter, typical of the fierce rivalry between the two sides. However, the tension also appeared to boil over in the crowd. 

In the video taken by Mail Sport's Chris Wheeler, supporters could be seen brawling in the stands of the New Jersey stadium during the matchup. While it is unclear what triggered the fight, a group of fans in the stairway separating the rows of seats could be seen shoving each other before the situation escalated a one began throwing punches. 

Two members of security staff clambered over the pitchside railings separating the stands from the on-field action and made their way up toward the bickering supporters. Before they could get there, other fans intervened and deescalate the situation. 

The supporter in a blue jersey who threw the first punch backed off and calmly returned to his seat in the row across. There was no more trouble. The tensions were just as high on the field. A late challenge from Lisandro Martinez on Bukayo Saka caused tempers to flare in the States. This resulted in a mini scuffle until the Argentina star was separated from Gunner captain Martin Odegaard.

Footage shows Martinez lunging in on Saka in the United half as the game moved towards half time in the game. United were already 2-0 up but the center-back, known for his aggressive nature, took no prisoners and stepped in high on the England forward.

As he almost took out teammate Kobbie Mainoo too, the referee blew for a free-kick, booking Martinez for the challenge, though the 25-year-old was unfazed. Odegaard was on scene to confront his opponent, before several other players rushed to help.

The likes of Mason Mount, William Saliba, and Luke Shaw all approached the scene, but matters eventually calmed down. The game saw three yellow cards overall, with Harry Maguire booked for Manchester United and Gabriel Jesus also picking up a yellow in the game.

United will also play Wrexham, Real Madrid, and Borussia Dortmund while in the States, with the Gunners set to face Barcelona on Thursday morning after already beating an MLS All-Star side.