FERGIE'S MEN OFF TO FLIER

HEADS UP Bruce scored the opener

- BY RYAN TAYLOR

IT has been some 36 years - three years before the Premier League's inception - since Arsenal last travelled to Old Trafford on the opening day of a league season.

The Gunners were the defending First Division champions, after Michael Thomas had stunned Anfield in injury time to snatch the title from Liverpool the previous season.

The strike had ended Arsenal's 18-year wait for league glorywhile United had lumbered to an underwhelming 11th-place finish.

But the hosts got their new campaign off to a flier when Steve Bruce headed home from Lee Sharpe's corner inside two minutes.