Three And Easy For Manchester United
1998-99 Champions League campaign
Manchester United had won just one European trophy since the end of the Heysel ban - the 1991 Cup Winners' Cup - and had not won the main prize since Matt Busby's side triumphed at Wembley in 1968. But Alex Ferguson's team had swept all before them in the 1998-99 season, with the FA Cup and League title already in the bag. Now they faced Bayern Munich in the Champions League final, bidding to complete an historic treble.
In one of the greatest comebacks in sporting history, United recovered from a goal down to score twice in injury time and become champions of Europe. It meant they had become the first English team ever to win the treble.
Results
| Round | Opponent | Score |
|---|---|---|
| 2nd Qualifying Round, 1st Leg | LKS Lodz (h) | 2-0 |
| 2nd Qualifying Round, 2nd Leg | LKS Lodz (a) | 0-0 |
| Group Stage | Barcelona (h) | 3-3 |
| Group Stage | Bayern Munich (a) | 2-2 |
| Group Stage | Brondby (a) | 2-6 |
| Group Stage | Brondby (h) | 5-0 |
| Group Stage | Barcelona (a) | 3-3 |
| Group Stage | Bayern Munich (h) | 1-1 |
| Quarter-Final, 1st Leg | Inter Milan (h) | 2-0 |
| Quarter-Final, 2nd Leg | Inter Milan (a) | 1-1 |
| Semi-Final, 1st Leg | Juventus (h) | 1-1 |
| Semi-Final, 2nd Leg | Juventus (a) | 2-3 |
| Final | Bayern Munich (n) | 2-1 |
Key Games
Inter Milan 1-1 Manchester United (Quarter-Final second leg, March 17, 1999)
Leading 2-0 after the first leg in Manchester, United were favourites to progress against the Italians, but were made to work hard to seal a 3-1 aggregate victory. Nicola Ventola's 63rd-minute goal brought the Italians back into the tie and meant a nervous last half hour for Alex Ferguson, but those nerves were finally settled two minutes from time when Paul Scholes netted to force a 1-1 draw on the night to see United safely through.
Juventus 2-3 Manchester United (Semi-Final second leg, April 21, 1999)
One of the great nights in United's European history. After a 1-1 draw at Old Trafford, United had it all to do in the second leg. And if their task was hard before kick-off, they gave themselves a mountain to climb by conceding two goals, both to Filippo Inzaghi, inside the first 10 minutes. But, inspired by a heroic performance from captain Roy Keane, they hauled themselves off the floor to win the match 3-2, with goals from Keane, Dwight Yorke and Andy Cole, to clinch a 4-3 aggregate victory.
Manchester United 2-1 Bayern Munich (Final, May 26, 1999)
There have been some classic European Cup Finals down the years, but none that ended in more dramatic fashion than this clash in the Nou Camp. United had trailed for 84 minutes after Mario Basler's sixth-minute opener, but substitutes Teddy Sheringham and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer both scored in injury time to steal the trophy from the Germans' grasp and leave Fergie proclaiming in his post-match TV interview, "Football... bloody hell!"
Key Off-field Moments
Fans Fury Over Murdoch
United fans were up in arms in September 1998 over media tycoon Rupert Murdoch's plans to buy the club.
Brooklyn Beckham Is Born
David Beckham became a father for the first time in March 1999. He celebrated the birth of Brooklyn by helping United beat Chelsea 3-0 at Stamford Bridge.
Keane Kept In Cell
Roy Keane found himself in trouble with the law in May when, while out celebrating the team's Premiership triumph, he was accused of assault - even though he was hit in the face by a glass. Keane spent the night in the cells after a complaint by two women following the incident at a Manchester night spot.
Key Figures
Roy Keane
Keane missed the Final through suspension after being booked in the Semi-Final second-leg win over Juventus, but you would never have guessed he had suffered such personal disappointment judging by his all-action display in Turin. Nobody did more than him to ensure United would make it to the Nou Camp.
Dwight Yorke/Andy Cole
At the time, Yorke and Cole were arguably the best striking partnership in Europe. They scored 12 goals between them in United's run to the Final, terrorising some of the best defenders on the Continent, and making United probably the deadliest attacking force in the tournament.
Teddy Sheringham/Ole Gunnar Solskjaer
As back-up duos go, these two were surely the best in the business. Yorke and Cole might have attracted most of the headlines during the Treble-winning season, but this pair more than played their part - and none more so than in the Final in Barcelona. Both introduced as second-half substitutes, they supplied the decisive finishing touches that broke Bayern hearts and saw Alex Ferguson (not yet a Sir!) claim European football's major prize for the first time.
What Happened Next
United retained their Premier League crown but surrendered their Champions League trophy with a quarter-final defeat to Real Madrid.
We want your help to grow the MirrorFootball.co.uk archive! Leave your comments about this piece of football history by clicking on the 'Your Memories' tab above. Tell us who or what you'd like to see covered in the MirrorFootball.co.uk archive by emailing archive@mirror.co.uk
(PDF2.5MB)
