Darren Fletcher has told ESPN FC he made his peace with Arsene Wenger after being described as an "anti-footballer" by the Arsenal manager while playing for Manchester United.
West Bromwich Albion captain Fletcher, who faces United at Old Trafford on Saturday, was criticised by Wenger following a bruising encounter between United and Arsenal in August 2009.
Wenger claimed Fletcher was "only on the pitch to make fouls," an accusation that prompted Sir Alex Ferguson to say Wenger had "let himself down."
But Fletcher, returning to form and fitness at West Brom following a two-and-a-half year battle against illness at United, said he and Wenger had since spoken and described the Frenchman as "a great man."
"I had a great chat with him after a game a couple of seasons ago," he said. "I stood by him at the side of the pitch and spoke for a couple of minutes.
"It was brilliant. I complimented him on a couple of his players and told him what a great signing Danny Welbeck was for Arsenal.
"He was very complimentary of me, mentioned how well I was playing before the illness and that I had been flying with my strength and speed.
"He said he was gutted for me because of the illness and that it was great to see me back.
"That shows you what football is about. We had a famous incident when he said something about me after a game, calling me an anti-footballer who just kicks people, but I laughed about it.
"It was a compliment in many ways, but it earned me a few yellow cards afterwards because people began to believe him.
"But after all that time, for him to speak to me as he did showed what a great man and a great manager he is. It was a nice moment."