Leading up to the match , both clubs were embroiled Change_sentiment in controversy : United withdrew Escaping from English football 's primary cup competition , the FA Cup , in order to take part in the 2000 FIFA Club World Championship ; Arsenal were entangled in a transfer saga involving their own player , striker Nicolas Anelka , who vowed Commitment to never play for the club again .

With the ailing Cure and childless Charles II of Spain approaching Arriving his end , a new conflict Hostile_encounter over the inheritance of the Spanish Empire embroiled Catastrophe Louis XIV and the Grand Alliance in the War of the Spanish Succession .

Other squadrons already at sea became Becoming embroiled in the campaign : a smaller squadron that had been raiding Attack the African coast under Commodore Jean-Marthe-Adrien L'Hermite since August 1805 provided Supply a diversion to the major campaign but failed Agree_or_refuse_to_act to draw Removing off significant British forces Military_operation , while the remnants of a French squadron under Contre-Admiral Charles-Alexandre Durand Linois that had been operating Being_in_operation in the Indian Ocean since 1803 was intercepted Preventing_or_letting and defeated Conquering by Warren in March , after a chance encounter on its journey back to France .