Kevin Kilbane believes Arsene Wenger would have been embarrassed to receive a gift at Old Trafford prior to Arsenal's 2-1 defeat against Manchester United.
Wenger was handed a metal vase in a box by Sir Alex Ferguson – his old managerial rival – prior to kick-off and was also joined by current Red Devils boss Jose Mourinho.
The Gunners manager will bring his 22-year reign at the club to an end in the coming weeks after announcing his decision to leave the north London side.
Ferguson and Mourinho have enjoyed a feisty relationship with Wenger down the years but put their past battles to one side to honour one of the Premier League greats.
Trump to claim credit in 3.....2...... pic.twitter.com/FnnCVi0Len
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But Kilbane feels Wenger would have viewed the gesture as a patronising hint towards him not being a serious rival in recent years.
“I think United fans would have given him a standing ovation even if he had been seriously competing over the last 10 years,” Kilbane told OTB.
“I think they recognised what he’s actually done [at Arsenal]. But I think he would have been genuinely embarrassed himself. He knew had a job today and he would have been thinking: I’ve a game to prepare for – I’ve got to get my mindset right.
“It was a great touch from Sir Alex Ferguson and even [Jose] Mourinho. We were seeing three of the very best Premier League managers, they’ve had so much success, and it was a nice moment when Ferguson presented him with a trophy.
“It was a nice touch and a recognition of what he has done and also the success he has had here at Old Trafford. Not recently, but going back 15 years his sides gave United serious tests.
“It was almost like a bit of nostalgia. We know full well now that [Wenger] is done and dusted. And that is maybe why you would feel sorry for Wenger to an extent given what he did achieve and the position he is in now.”
Written by James Hopper
