Manchester United's treble winning side from 1999 was voted the greatest team of all time in a massive survey - with a top 16 list of the best ever sides also complied
Andy Chivers
11:24, 10 Jul 2025Updated 12:13, 10 Jul 2025
Manchester United’s 1999 ‘treble winners’ have topped the league of greatest football teams.
Manchester United’s 1999 ‘treble winners’ have topped the league of greatest football teams.(Image: Getty)
Manchester United's treble-winning team of 1999 has emerged as the greatest football team of all time, according to a fan vote - pipping bitter rivals Liverpool to the prize.
Alex Ferguson's iconic side edged out Pep Guardiola's Barcelona, renowned for their 'tika-taka' style led by Messi, Xavi, and Iniesta, to claim the top spot. Brazil's 1970 World Cup-winning team completed the top three, while Liverpool's dominant side from 1975 to 1984 finished fourth, adding another accolade to their impressive decade.
The top 16 teams have been compiled and presented in a knockout format, allowing fans to imagine which team would emerge victorious and claim the top spot. The poll, conducted among 2,000 football enthusiasts, combined both club and country teams, with Real Madrid featuring twice in the top 20. Arsenal's 'Invincibles' and Manchester City's treble-winning team also represented the English game.
The research was commissioned by OLBG, which has created a knockout-style tool featuring the top 16 teams, allowing fans to play along and predict the ultimate winner. Jake Ashton, football editor for the brand, commented: "There have been some incredible teams for both club and country over the years.
"Domestic sides often have periods of dominance, lasting as long as five or six years at a time, but international sides usually shine at one particular tournament. With the World Cup's global audience, it's no wonder Brazil's 1970s golden era is still so fondly remembered."
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Other teams featured in the top 20 list include Spain's world-dominating squad from 2008-2012, which swept up European Championships and the 2010 World Cup. France's team from 1998 to 2000, which clinched both World and European titles, also made the cut.
Seven out of 10 respondents claimed that one or more of the listed teams significantly influenced their overall passion for football. This was either because they were simply a delight to watch (73%), their teamwork was inspiring (66%), or they played in a unique style (60%).
In a separate question, football fans weighed in on the age-old club vs country debate, with 44% favouring club competition over international. The tradition and history of these teams (48%) emerged as the top reasons why, according to data from OnePoll.com..
The domestic game also tugged at fans' heartstrings, as 36% would prefer their club team to win a trophy vs 26% who would rather see their country triumph if given the choice.
In a hypothetical match between the best international team and the best domestic 11, fans predicted a tight contest, with the vote just tipping in favour of the club side (41% vs 39%).
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When quizzed about the crucial elements that make a top-notch team, fans pointed to skill and talent (64%), outstanding teamwork (61%) and consistency (56%) as paramount.
Jake Ashton from OLBG chimed in: "Trying to agree on the best football team of all time is one of the great debates that unites and divides fans in equal measure.
"Whether you grew up watching the dominance of Brazil in 1970, the flair of Barcelona under Guardiola, or the invincibility of Arsenal's 2003-04 squad, everyone's got a strong opinion - and that's what makes it so much fun.
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"Football isn't just about stats or trophies - it's about memories, passion and the moments that made us fall in love with the game."
THE TOP 20 FOOTBALL TEAMS OF ALL TIME:.
Manchester United (1998–99) – Treble champions.
Barcelona (2008–12) – The Guardiola era.
Brazil (1970) – World Cup winners.
Liverpool (1975–84) – A decade of supremacy.
Real Madrid (1955–60) – Five consecutive European Cup titles.
Spain (2008–12) – Euro and World Cup champions.
Arsenal (2003–04) – The 'Invincibles'.
Manchester City (2022–23) – Treble winners.
Manchester United (1966–68) – Domestic league and European Cup champions.
Real Madrid (1984–90) – Five successive league titles.
France (1998–2000) – World and Euro champions.
Manchester City (2017–18) – 100-point haul in a single season.
Brazil (1982) – Attacking full-backs and the 4-2-2-2 formation.
Barcelona (1993–94) – League winners and European finalists.
AC Milan (1988–90) – "The Immortals".
Nottingham Forest (1978–80) – "Miracle Men".
Bayern Munich (1973–76) – European Cup hat-trick.
Ajax (1971–73) – Three-time European Cup winners.
West Germany (1972–74) – Euro and World Cup winners.
France (1982–86) – The 'Magic Square' midfield and European champions.