“This is the greatest moment of my life and I’m struggling to take it all in. I haven’t said anything to my players yet. I’ve just hugged and kissed them. I’ve slobbered all over them.” – Sir Alex Ferguson after the treble winning season of 1999.
The greatest club in England ever to grace the pulchritudinous game went all guns blazing in the year of 1999, when they edged past Bayern Munich with two late goals in injury time from Teddy Sheringham and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, lifting the European crown and leaving Bayern fans flabbergasted.
History was made, but how did United reach the pinnacle in that unforgettable season? Let’s relive those radiant and gratifying moments yet again.
Pre season friendlies and FA Charity Shield
United lost and drew their first two matches, respectively, before winning the next three games. They lost to Scottish giants Aberdeen 6-7 on penalties.
In the Charity Shield, United were up against the mighty Arsenal, and lost the long-awaited game 0-3, much to their dismay. The positive for them was the reinforcement of Roy Keane, who made his return after 12 months.
Premier League
So, with a disappointing start to their season, Manchester United started their title hunt with a loss and draw to Leicester City and West Ham, respectively. The first win of their season took place on 9 September, as Charlton Athletic faced the wrath of United, losing 1-4.
Defending champions Arsenal beat them 3-0 again, leaving United in 10th position. However, United got back to winning ways by demolishing arch-rivals Liverpool 2-0. United were held by Chelsea, but managed to reach top four at the turn of the year.
The year 1999 brought smiles to the faces of the Red Army, as they won five straight games, including the famous 8-1 thrashing of Nottingham Forest. The Red Devils remained unbeaten in their last 20 league games. With this sensational display, Arsenal failed to reclaim the top position in England, and Manchester United finished the Premier League with 79 points, one ahead of the Gunners.
FA Cup
Middlesbrough came to Old Trafford in the third round of the FA Cup, but got decimated by the Red Devils, who scored three goals and conceded just one. Ole Solskjaer scored the winner in the 90th minute against Liverpool in front of 54,591 spectators in the fourth round as Old Trafford came to life and thundered.
Fulham provided no resistance to United in the fifth round, losing 0-1. The moment of truth arrived when United were held by the Blues at the Theatre of Dreams, and paid a visit to Stamford Bridge. The sixth round replay went in United’s favour as Dwight Yorke came to the rescue with a brace.
The stage was set for the two best in England to square off at Villa Park on 11 April, 1999. Both sides were evenly matched, and the tie ended in a goalless draw. Aston Villa’s stadium got to witness a second battle again after three days, and the sides were so even that 90 minutes were not enough to separate them.
The red side of Villa Park erupted in joy when Ryan Giggs netted United’s second goal in the 109th minute. Arsenal were knocked out of the cup, with the victory paving the way for Manchester United to face Newcastle in the final.
Newcastle United versus Manchester United, at the Wembley. As much as 79,101 people were in attendance for the mouthwatering clash. Sir Alex and his men were confident of bringing the cup back to Old Trafford.
Teddy Sheringham and Paul Scholes scored in the 11th and 52nd minute, respectively, and theirs were the only two names on the score sheet. The final score read 2-0 in favour of Manchester United, and with this historic win, they went on to lift the second-most coveted prize in England.
UEFA Champions League
The biggest and grandest stage in club football was United’s dream goal, and they started their campaign against Polish champions LKS Lodz. Goals from Giggs and Cole were enough for a 2-0 win, and the second leg qualifying round ended 0-0 in front of a mere 8000 spectators.
United were drawn with Barcelona, Bayern Munich and Brondby in the group stages. However, despite the tough opposition, the English side remained unbeaten. They however were held four times, and qualified as runners-up with 10 out of the possible 18 points.
Quarters and semifinal: Italian love affair
United had to face the Italian combination of Inter Milan and Juventus in the quarters and semis. Yorke scored twice at Old Trafford in the first leg, and Inter were left with only a small hope of qualifying at San Siro. United were made of stones and did not crumble, as they held for to a 1-1 draw, enough to help them enter the semis.
United again got the advantage of playing at home during the first leg of semifinals against Juventus on 7 April. Juventus ensorcelled United with their Italian flavour and led until the 91st minute. Finally, Ryan Giggs scored a crucial equaliser in the 92nd minute.
The return leg in Italy was a do-or-die affair. The media hailed the English side as the underdogs, keeping the circumstances into stern consideration. A little less than 62,000 spectators gathered to see the sight of pure football, and it was Inzaghi who scored twice in the first 15 minutes to put Juventus 3-1 ahead on aggregate.
Dwight Yorke and Roy Keane scored a goal each before half-time, taking United to 3-3 aggregate score. Andy Cole scored a stunner six minutes before the end of regulation time, taking United to a 4-3 aggregate score. United had won an infeasible battle and entered the final, which was scheduled to take place at Camp Nou.
Spanish territory: Dream final
The stage was set for the best in Germany to collide with the best in England. United had held Barcelona to a 2-2 final score in the group stage affair at this venue. However, it was a cumbrous task to put Bayern aside, and it was Mario Basler’s freekick in the opening minutes of the match which was enough to beat Peter Schmeichel.
United, who were without the services of Paul Scholes and Roy Keane, and a goal down, looked daunted and browbeaten. Schmeichel was playing his last game for United and kept them alive, saving one shot after another. Bayern Munich led until the 90th minute, and it was then the referee’s decision to add three injury-time minutes.
Sir Alex played his masterstroke as he introduced super-sub Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and Teddy Sheringham. United won a corner in the 91st minute, and Sheringham scored a sensational equaliser from it.
The moment of magic was to come next, as Beckham and United won another corner within the following two minutes. Bayern were exposed, and in the chaos, Ole Solksjaer netted in a lovely deflection from Sheringham. The unbelievable fairytale just turned true for Manchester United. The proverbial phrase “Fortune favours the brave” was probably the best way to describe the emotions then.
“It could take days, even weeks to recover from such a blow. Losing in such a way is very tragic. It is inconceivable what has happened tonight,” Ottmar Hitzfeld, the Bayern Munich manager said, after losing the 1999 Champions League final.
“I can’t believe it. I can’t believe it. Football, bloody hell,” said a jubilant Sir Alex after winning the Champions League.
A celebration to remember
Over 500,000 people gathered on the streets of Manchester to celebrate a historic treble-winning season for Manchester United. The United players had an unforgettable open-bus tour around the wonderful city.
Contrary to the proverb “A bad beginning makes a bad ending”, United emerged triumphant after a string of losses. Sir Alex’s masterstroke at the Camp Nou was the talk of the town. People started to grow an immense adulation for Sheringham and Solskjaer, courtesy their magical goals which propelled United towards the European title.
Peter Schmeichel left United on a high note, lifting not one but three coveted titles. Dwight Yorke was the top scorer for Manchester United that season with 29 goals, followed closely by Andy Cole with his 24. David Beckham came runner-up in the European and FIFA World Player of the Year awards, losing to Rivaldo.
The success in that particular season was also particularly important for Manchester United, as they soon afterwards became the world’s richest football side, and also the most popular one.
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