Feizal Rahman / 31 January 2010 Free Bet View Market

"Each has had to regenerate championship-winning sides as ageing stars retired or younger ones sought new challenges and doing this has been increasingly problematic with wealthier rivals poaching their natural transfer targets. But Ferguson and Wenger have always set themselves apart by seeking to promote youth..."

After their first league contest in November 1996, neither Sir Alex Ferguson nor Arsene Wenger could have imagined they would still be going toe-to-toe 14 years later. And as their rivalry now enters its third decade, the grand theatre provided by each and their respective club throughout shows no signs of faltering.

There have been many stories told throughout the Premier League history but none as compelling as the dual between these two managerial powerhouses. Ferguson has overwhelming come out on top in terms of titles won - eleven overall to Wenger's three - but in head-to-head league encounters the record ahead of today is far more balanced with 10 wins to United, 9 to Arsenal and 8 draws.

Seldom have fixtures between the two been dull affairs resulting in some of the Premier League's most incendiary moments - from clashes between Roy Keane and Patrick Vieira to those of Ruud van Nistelrooy and Martin Keown. Though it is each manager's adherence to a philosophy of attacking football has been the ingredient with the most kick.

Chelsea's billionaire-funded title double in 2004-05 and 2005-06 saw the only change in direction of the Premier League trophy since Wenger's arrival and now a new financial behemoth threatens in the form of Manchester City. But the longevity of the Arsenal-Manchester United rivalry is testament to each manager's ability to adapt to changing circumstances over the years and that they are still competitive in the title race now underlines their greatness (United [4.8], Arsenal [7.0] to win before today's meeting).

Each has had to regenerate championship-winning sides as ageing stars retired or younger ones sought new challenges and doing this has been increasingly problematic with wealthier rivals poaching their natural transfer targets. But Ferguson and Wenger have always set themselves apart by seeking to promote youth and this is something they will have to rely on if each is to maintain their prominence.

As manager of the world's biggest club, Ferguson has been afforded the luxury of spending big to lure the best talent to Old Trafford and that has enabled United to enjoy three consecutive titles. Yet, the current levels of debt at the club now means such opportunities no longer exist and that Cristiano Ronaldo was sold last summer is perhaps indicative of the changing times.

Wenger on the contrary has always spent with prudence but the fruits of his labour with the Arsenal youth system are finally beginning to ripen after four barren seasons and such self-sufficiency will be the key to future successes.

But in the here and now, two individuals have kept their injury-plagued sides motoring on. Although just 24 and 22 respectively, it seems like Wayne Rooney and Cesc Fabregas have been around forever but this season could prove their most defining. Blessed with prodigious talent, each has had to mature among more experiences colleagues and now they have both risen to bear the burden of expectation.

With Ronaldo departed, Rooney has taken on the duty of chief match winner with 19 league goals ([1.61] to be top Premier League goalscorer), while in the absence of Robin van Persie, Fabregas has netted 11 times from midfield and provided an equal number of assists to ensure the scoring didn't dry up for the Gunners. But both players are also emerging as commanding figureheads for their manager on the pitch, inspiring by voice and example (Rooney [1.7], Fabregas [2.78] to be PFA Player of the Year).

The Spaniard was made Arsenal captain last season while the England striker is now being forwarded as the natural successor at Old Trafford and perhaps even for the national side also, following John Terry's alleged exploits (Rooney [4.0] to captain England v USA on June 12th 2010).

As the last of a dying breed - those managers who rule a club from top to bottom - Ferguson and Wenger continue to be the Premier League's main attraction. It is hard to think of the day when neither will patrol their technical area, berating a fourth official or, as has often been the case, each other. Yet, still at the top of their game, one expects many a battle to come before these old warhorses finally lay down their arms.