Five Old Trafford classics between Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur 

Manchester United vs. Tottenham Hotspur is a fixture that has produced some of the nerve wrecking and enthralling contests over the years. From George Best to Cristiano Ronaldo, everyone had their moments playing against Spurs. The audacious lob of George Best or the brilliant chip by Cantona, are some of the memorable moments from such a long list of historic matches.

Here is a look at the top five Old Trafford classics between these two clubs.

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#5 ManUtd 2-0 Tottenham: 26 January 1951

The famous 'Busby Babes' who won the league in 1951

After losing earlier in the season at White Hart Lane, Manchester United was aware of the fact that Arthur Rowe's reigning champions were the First Division’s benchmarks. The two sides met on a cold January afternoon at Old Trafford with Spurs hovering in the fourth spot, just three points behind the second-placed United.

Earlier the league leaders Portsmouth slipped to a shock defeat against Sunderland which made the encounter at Old Trafford a thrilling one despite the capricious pitch. , but Stan Pearson scored the decisive goal three minutes from time to send United to the top of the table where they would remain for the rest of the season.

#4 ManUtd 2-1 Tottenham: February 1971

George Best scored a famous lobbed goal against Spurs in 1971.

George Best was undoubtedly one of the best players to have ever graced the Old Trafford pitch in a red jersey. He had many recollections at Old Trafford, but few are more cherished than his sumptuous Stretford End lob over Pat Jennings.

The game was goalless for an extended period. The deadlock broke when Jennings provided a lofted cross with United winger Willie Morgan, from which the ball spun loose to Best, 15 yards out. But the United winger's route to the goal was blocked by Jennings and two Tottenham defenders in the goal line. George best needed just two touches, one to control the ball with his chest and other to arc a lob over all his opponents.

It was an exhibit of sheer brilliance which many would have failed to pull off. George Best just waited and watched as his shot dropped into the net and ambulated away smiling.

#3 ManUtd 3-3 Tottenham: 7 December 1986

Brilliant goals, solid defending and a 90 midcap minutes left the observers grasping for more after the game. They had witnessed one of the greatest games at Old Trafford. Norman Whiteside brilliantly-plotted free-kick opened the scoring for United followed by a Peter Davenport goal which established a two-goal lead for the hosts heading into the interval.

Alex Ferguson was just a month into his Old Trafford tenure and the second half gave him one long, nightmarish experience.

Gary Mabbutt’s diving header and a calamitous Kevin Moran own-goal levelled the scores before Clive Allen put Spurs ahead. But the final twist came when Bryan Robson was bundled over by Danny Thomas inside the penalty box which gave Davenport the chance to convert a last-minute penalty to ensure that the match ended level at three apiece.

#2 ManUtd 4-1 Tottenham: 9 January 1993

The highlight of the game was an audacious Eric Cantona chip for Denis Irwin's goal. Cantona could have opened the scoring for United, but the Spurs goalkeeper saved his beautiful header. Brian McClair and Paul Parker scored a couple of quick goals to seal a sequence of three in five minutes before the hour-mark.

Cantona received praise after the match by both Alex Ferguson and United legend George Best for his performance.

#1 ManUtd 5-2 Tottenham: 25 April 2009

This game was a massive turning point in 2008/09 title run-in. Just when Spurs thought they were cruising with a two-goal lead, a controversial penalty in favour of United reduced the deficit to half.

After Cristiano Ronaldo had converted the penalty, Wayne Rooney levelled the score, then immediately crossed for Ronaldo to head a third. Finally, both Rooney and Berbatov struck again which took United towards an 18th league title.