For the first time in more than a decade, this historic fixture has got its bite and edge back.
For so long, Manchester United and Arsenal were the chief protagonists in the Premier League title race, the seething animosity between the two sides shared by their respective managers.
Sir Alex Ferguson and Arsene Wenger's mutual antipathy made United against Arsenal the go-to fixture in the Premier League until the rise of rival clubs and the respective retirement of both bosses saw it become a sideshow to the main attraction.
With United and Arsenal both in decline, the encounter that came to define the Premier League became just another fixture, as the likes of Chelsea, Manchester City, Liverpool and Leicester contested the title.
This though was proof this fixture has become relevant once more, rejuvenated and reborn, as both clubs make their way back from sustained spells in the football wilderness.
The fervent atmosphere inside Old Trafford was testimony to that, as both sets of fans raised the decibel level, with so much at stake for the two clubs.
Not since the rivalry of Ferguson and Wenger, Roy Keane and Patrick Vieira, or indeed the Battle of the Buffet in 2004, which saw United's legendary former boss pelted with pizza as the two sets of players clashed, has Old Trafford played host to such a pulsating spectacle between the two sides.
For Arsenal, their 100 per cent record was on the line, for United, the opportunity for a fourth successive win, to ensure the dismal start – defeats to Brighton and Brentford – was an aberration, with victory further affirmation of Erik ten Hag's approach, and the wisdom of his appointment.
Clearances, such as those made by United duo Tyrell Malacia and Lisandro Martinez late on, and a vital last-ditch interception from Scott McTominay, preventing Eddie Nketiah from scoring, were celebrated like goals, with tackles receiving the same treatment.
There were throwbacks to classic battles between these two sides, with McTominay epitomising the snarling belligerence and aggression of Keane in midfield, snapping into tackles and playing like a man possessed.
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With Liverpool, Chelsea and champions City all faltering early on this season, this could be the most open title race for years, with United and Arsenal hoping to be back in the mix after so long away.
The reality, though, for both clubs, is that a return to the top-four is likely to be the extent of their ambitions this season, with anything else on top of that a bonus.
Yet that should detract from the fact this game finally means something again, after a moribund series of encounters between the two sides. They may not be back to the status of title contenders just yet, but this thrilling spectacle showed both are heading back in the right direction.
