Episode Summary
Hosts
Graham Dunn, Jamie Rooney
Richard Evans, David Cooke
Guest(s)
Release Date
31 August 2023
Duration
66 min
In this unforgettable episode of By Far The Greatest Team, hosts Graham Dunn and Jamie Rooney are joined by lifelong Manchester United fans Richard Evans and David Cooke to relive one of the most extraordinary seasons in football history — Manchester United’s 1998–1999 treble.
The conversation begins with the pressure and expectation surrounding Sir Alex Ferguson’s side at the dawn of the Premier League era’s peak. United’s season was a masterclass in resilience and self-belief. Across ten months, they fought through relentless challenges: a gruelling Premier League title race with Arsenal, an FA Cup run filled with late drama, and a European campaign that would go down as the most cinematic of all time.
At the heart of it all was an indomitable squad — Peter Schmeichel’s commanding presence, Roy Keane’s leadership, David Beckham’s artistry, and Dwight Yorke and Andy Cole’s telepathic partnership. The group embodied Ferguson’s philosophy: “Attack, recover, and never stop believing.”
The discussion traces the journey from Ryan Giggs’ legendary FA Cup semi-final goal vs Arsenal to the breathtaking finale in Barcelona, where Teddy Sheringham and Ole Gunnar Solskjær turned despair into delirium with two stoppage-time goals to defeat Bayern Munich.
Beyond tactics and talent, this episode explores what made United 1999 unique — their chemistry, endurance, and belief in destiny. It was a season that transcended sport, capturing the essence of football’s emotional power and cementing Sir Alex Ferguson’s place among the immortals.
Takeaways
The 1999 treble remains the defining achievement of Manchester United’s modern era.
Comebacks and mentality were the team’s greatest strengths.
Ferguson’s squad depth and rotation were revolutionary for the time.
The final vs Bayern Munich epitomised United’s never-say-die spirit.
The legacy of 1999 shaped the identity of the club for generations.
Manchester United 1999: The Treble That Changed Everything
In 1998–1999, Manchester United achieved what no English club had ever done before — winning the Premier League, FA Cup, and Champions League in one extraordinary season.
Under Alex Ferguson, United embodied determination and drama. Every competition brought adversity: the title race with Arsenal, the gruelling FA Cup run that featured Ryan Giggs’ legendary solo goal, and the nerve-shredding Champions League campaign that culminated in the most famous two minutes in football history.
In Barcelona, trailing Bayern Munich 1–0 as stoppage time began, Ferguson’s men summoned destiny. Teddy Sheringham equalised. Ole Gunnar Solskjær won it. From despair to delirium, United’s comeback captured football’s purest emotion.
Led by Roy Keane, inspired by Beckham, and driven by the telepathy of Yorke and Cole, the team blended power, creativity, and courage. Behind them, Schmeichel, Stam, and Irwin provided the foundations of an indomitable unit.
The 1999 treble was not just a sporting feat — it was a cultural moment. It defined Ferguson’s legacy, transformed English football’s global identity, and immortalised a team that refused to accept defeat.
Manchester United 1999 remains football’s ultimate benchmark — proof that greatness is built not just on talent, but on unshakable belief.
Main Topics
Iconic Moments
The Premier League title race vs Arsenal
FA Cup heroics and Giggs’ wonder goal
The Champions League run and Bayern Munich final
Sir Alex Ferguson’s leadership and man-management
The tactical evolution of United’s attacking football
Ryan Giggs’ solo goal vs Arsenal (FA Cup semi-final replay)
The “Keane masterclass” vs Juventus in Turin
Solskjær and Sheringham’s late goals in the Champions League Final
Peter Schmeichel’s last-minute save vs Inter Milan
Roy Keane’s suspension before the final
United’s open-top bus parade through Manchester
Notable Manager
Alex Ferguson
Notable Players
Peter Schmeichel, Gary Neville, Jaap Stam, Denis Irwin, Roy Keane, Paul Scholes, David Beckham, Ryan Giggs, Andy Cole, Dwight Yorke, Teddy Sheringham, Ole Gunnar Solskjær
Style of Play
4-4-2 Formation, High Press, Counter-Attacking, Wing Play, Late Drama, Mental Resilience
Alex Ferguson’s Manchester United 1998–1999 combined relentless attacking football with extraordinary adaptability. Built on a 4-4-2 system, United’s approach was fluid, fearless, and physically demanding — driven by pace on the wings, pressing intensity, and wave-after-wave counter-attacks.
In midfield, Roy Keane and Paul Scholes provided the heartbeat — Keane dictating tempo and enforcing standards, while Scholes offered vision and precision. Out wide, David Beckham’s crossing and Ryan Giggs’ dribbling gave United dual creative outlets, stretching defences and feeding the striking duo of Yorke and Cole, whose chemistry produced some of the most intuitive link play in Premier League history.
Defensively, Jaap Stam and Ronny Johnsen formed a reliable pairing in front of Peter Schmeichel, while full-backs Gary Neville and Denis Irwin balanced aggression with control. Ferguson’s hallmark was adaptability — capable of switching to a midfield diamond or a 4-2-3-1 shape when the situation demanded.
The result was a side defined by intensity and resilience. They played to win every match, regardless of circumstance, and their comebacks — against Juventus and Bayern Munich — showcased tactical flexibility fused with emotional momentum.
Manchester United 1999 weren’t just a great team — they were a footballing force that lived on adrenaline, unity, and the unwavering belief that no game was ever lost.
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