Looking back to Manchester United’s 1998/99 season, which was Sir Alex Ferguson’s most successful campaign as manager.
The Treble-winning season in 1999 will likely forever be seen as the greatest year in Manchester United’s history, after becoming the first English club to win all three of the biggest trophies possible.
It was a season that was characterised by incredible comeback wins, moments of last-gasp brilliance, and a sheer refusal to give up. These were key elements of a side managed by Sir Alex Ferguson, with multiple leaders on the pitch.
Manager: Sir Alex Ferguson
United were crowned Premier League champions on the final day of the season by beating Tottenham 2-1 to finish one point clear of runners-up Arsenal.
A week later, United won the FA Cup after beating Newcastle 2-0 in the final.
To top it, four days later, United won the Champions League after beating Bayern Munich 2-1 in the final.
Although United went all the way in most competitions that season, they reached the League Cup fifth round before getting knocked out against Tottenham.
It was a season that saw Ferguson’s United dominate England as well as Europe.
Manchester United parade in 1999
Photo by Morris & Stenning/Mirrorpix/Getty Images
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Season results and top scorer
Premier League position: 1st
Total points: 79
FA Cup: Winners
League Cup: Fifth round
Champions League: Winners
Trophies: 3
Dwight Yorke finished the season as United’s top scorer with 29 goals. The striker scored 18 goals in the Premier League and was joint Golden Boot winner with Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink and Michael Owen.
Top scorer: Dwight Yorke – 29
Signings
Dwight Yorke
Jaap Stam
Jesper Blomqvist
Bojan Djordjic
Memorable matches
Let’s take a look at the most memorable matches from the 1998/99 season.
Manchester United 2-1 Bayern Munich
It was the final piece of the Treble and arguably the most dramatic ending to a Champions League final.
Bayern Munich were the better side throughout the game as Mario Basler opened the scoring after six minutes. The scoreline remained 1-0 as the clock reached 90 minutes, before substitutes Teddy Sheringham and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer scored in the 91st and 93rd minutes to complete the greatest comeback of all time.
United had finally reached the promised land under Ferguson.
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Arsenal 1-2 Manchester United
It was the FA Cup semi-final replay between United and Arsenal that stood out. To this day, many United fans consider it one of the greatest FA Cup ties of all time as it made the Treble possible.
David Beckham opened the scoring before Dennis Bergkamp forced an equaliser.
The challenge was made tougher when Roy Keane was sent off as well as Arsenal’s late penalty when Peter Schmeichel denied Bergkamp.
With United down to 10 men, Ryan Giggs intercepted a pass, ran from his own half, beating several Arsenal players before completing a stunning solo goal to win the tie.
Juventus 2-3 Manchester United
United travelled to Turin for the second leg of their Champions League semi-final tie after drawing the first game 1-1 at Old Trafford.
It was one of Keane’s best performances in a United shirt as he helped turn the game around following Filippo Inzaghi’s brace. The Republic of Ireland captain picked up a yellow card, which would rule him out of the final, but he battled on through to spark a comeback with a sublime header.
Yorke scored the equaliser, and Andy Cole scored the winner.
Manchester United 2-1 Tottenham Hotspur
It was the final league game that helped secure the Treble.
United had to win to ensure they were crowned champions ahead of Arsenal, but Les Ferdinand scored early on for Tottenham.
The win was secured thanks to goals from Beckham and Cole to avoid a collapse on the final day of the season.
Nottingham Forest 1-8 Manchester United
This victory was a huge statement from United to show the sheer attacking power available to Ferguson.
Solskjaer scored four goals after coming off the bench to secure the record away win. Meanwhile, Cole and Yorke scored two goals each.
Will Ryan Giggs ever be overtaken as English football’s most decorated player?
Ryan Giggs incredible honours list 🏆
Premier League x13
FA Cup x4
League Cup x4
Champions League x2
UEFA Super Cup
Intercontinental Cup
Club World Cup
Manchester United’s all-time record appearance maker
Ryan Giggs lifting the Premier League trophy
Photo by Matthew Peters/Manchester United via Getty Images
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What else happened in 1998/99?
Beckham won the Football Writers’ Association award.
United also dominated the PFA Team of the Year with five players: Jaap Stam, Gary Neville, Paul Scholes, Keane, and Yorke.
Beckham finished second in the Ballon d’Or.
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