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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 with 2 late goals in injury time from Teddy Sheringham and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, lifting the European crown, leaving Bayern fans flabbergasted. History was made but how did United reach the pinnacle in the splendid 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 3 games. They lost to Scottish giants Aberdeen 6-7 on penalties.
United were up against the mighty Arsenal and lost the “much awaited” game 0-3 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 the season took place on 9 September, as Charlton Athletic faced the wrath of United, losing 1-4. The defending champions Arsenal again knocked them out cold, leaving United in the 10th position. However, United came back to winning ways after demolishing rivals Liverpool 2-0. United were held by Chelsea before the new year but managed to reach top 4. The year 1999 brought smiles to the faces of the Red army as they won 5 straight games with a famous 8-1 thrashing of Nottingham Forest. The Red Army remained unbeaten in the 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 Arsenal.
FA Cup
May 22,1999: United lifting the Fa Cup after beating Newcastle United 2-0
Middlesbrough came to Old Trafford in the 3rd round of the FA Cup but got decimated by the Red devils who scored 3 goals and conceded one. Ole Solskjaer scored the winner in the 90th minute against Liverpool in front of 54,591 spectators in the 4th round as Old Trafford came to life and thundered. Fulham provided no resistance to United in the 5th 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 6th 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 the 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 in the second goal for United in the 109th minute. Arsenal were knocked out of the cup and paved the way for Newcastle to challenge the Red Devils in the final.
Newcastle United vs Manchester United, Wembley Final: As much as 79,101 people in attendance came to see a big mouth-watering 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.
May 26,1999: Manchester United celebrating their 2-1 Champions League victory over Bayern Munich at Camp Nou
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.
Group of Death: United were drawn with Barcelona, Bayern Munich and Brondby. The English War horse remained unbeaten in the group stage but were held four times. They however qualified as runners up with 10 out of the possible 18 points.
Quarters and Semi: Italian Love Affair
United had to face the Italian combination of Inter Milan and Juventus in the quarter and semi-finals. Yorke scored twice at Old Trafford as Inter Milan were left with only a rare hope to decimate them at San Siro in the return leg. United were made of stones and did not crumble as they held on to a 1-1 draw, enough to enter the semis. United again got the advantage of playing at home during the first leg of semi finals against Juventus on 7th April. Juventus ensorcelled United with their Italian flavour and led till the 91st minute. Finally, Ryan Giggs scored the crucial equalizer in the 92nd minute. The return leg in Italy was a do or die affair. The Media hailed the English side as the under-dogs, 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 one before halftime, taking United to 3-3 aggregate score. Andy Cole scored a stunner 6 minutes before the stoppage 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 in Camp Nou.
Spanish Territory: Dream Final
26 May,1999: Ole Solskjaer celebrates after scoring the winner in 93rd minute
The stage was set for the best in Germany to collide with the best in England. Manchester United went in the game facing a mammoth 91,000 spectators. 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 with a goal down, looked daunted and browbeaten. Schmeichel was playing his last game for United and kept them alive after saving one after another. Bayern Munich led till the 90th minute and it was then the referee’s decision to add 3 injury-time minutes. Sir Alex played his masterstroke as he introduced super sub-Solskjaer and Sheringham. United won a corner in the 91st minute and it was a sensational equalizer from Teddy Sheringham. The moment of magic was next as Beckham and United won another corner within 2 minutes. Bayern was 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” is best to describe the emotions.
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, Bayern Munich Manager, after losing the ’99 Champions league final.
“I can’t believe it. I can’t believe it. Football, bloody hell.” - Sir Alex Ferguson after winning the Champions League.
Celebration to remember
Manchester:Celebration Tour after Treble Winning Season
Over 500,000 people gathered on the streets of Manchester to celebrate a historic treble winning season for Manchester United. United players had an unforgettable open-bus tour around the wonderful city. The facial expressions on the faces of players were not enough to narrate the saga of the glory. Contrary to the proverb “A bad beginning makes a bad ending“, United emerged triumphant after a string of losses. Sir Alex’s masterstroke in the Camp Nou final was the talk of the town. People started to have immense adulation for Sheringham and Solskjaer, courtesy their magical goals which propelled United into the direction of recapturing the European title. Peter Schmeichel left United on a very high note, lifting not one but three coveted titles. Dwight Yorke was the top scorer for Manchester United during this season with 29 goals, followed shortly by Andy Cole with his 24. David Beckham was the runner up in European and FIFA World player of the year contest, losing to Rivaldo. The success in this season was also important as Manchester United became the world’s richest football side and also the most popular one.
Manchester United’s best season will be commemorated forever and ever but there is one another prospect which can bring the same amount of vivacity and delirium as the famous ’99 season. Manchester United are leading the Premier League table this season and look firm favorites to win the title. They are alive in the FA Cup and Sir Alex has voiced his hunger to lift the trophy again. The European scene is not bad either as United face Real Madrid in the knockout round and are favourites to win the title.
Yes, United can repeat the treble winning season yet again. The squad may not be the same but there are more than a 100 things which are still present in that side which can lead them to their biggest goal. As Hernandez said some days back, the team’s intention is to win the big one – “The Treble”.
