 Goalkeeper Tim Howard started his first competitive match for Manchester United, replacing Fabien Barthez, while Quinton Fortune was selected at left-back ahead of John O 'Shea. They lined up in a 4 – 4 – 1 – 1 formation, with forward Ole Gunnar Solskjær positioned on the right wing and Paul Scholes playing just off the main striker, Ruud van Nistelrooy. For Arsenal, Jens Lehmann made his first competitive appearance. The team lined up in a 4 – 4 – 2 formation. Kolo Touré was paired with defender Sol Campbell at centre-back in the absence of Martin Keown.
