1998–99 Manchester United F.C. season

English football club season March 2015 May 2020 Manchester United 1998–99 centre 2 horizontal 1998-99 Premier League title celebrations (cropped).jpg 139 1999 FA Cup Final trophy presentation (cropped).jpg 136 1999 UEFA Champions League celebration (edited).jpg 279 Manchester United's treble-winning side celebration of winning the Premier League (top left), FA Cup (top right), and Champions League (bottom). Martin Edwards Alex Ferguson FA Premier League 1st FA Cup Winners League Cup Quarter-finals UEFA Champions League Winners Charity Shield Runners-up Dwight Yorke (18) Dwight Yorke (29) 55,316 vs Southampton (27 February 1999)Butler Ponting 1999 153 37,237 vs Nottingham Forest(11 November 1998)Butler Ponting 1999 51 55,188 _manutdh9800 _manutdh9800 _manutdh9800 _manutdh9800 _manutdh9800 E20E0E E20E0E E20E0E FFFFFF 000000 _manutda9799 _manutda9799 _manutda9799 _manutda9799 _manutdh9800 FFFFFF FFFFFF FFFFFF 000000 FFFFFF _manutd39899 _manutd39899 _manutd39899 _manutd39899 _manutd39899 000000 000000 000000 000000 000000 1997–98 1999–2000 The 1998–99 season was Manchester United Football Club's seventh season in the FA Premier League and their 24th consecutive season in the top division of English football.Ross James M. Heneghan Michael Orford Stuart Culliton Eoin 25 August 2016 English Clubs Divisional Movements 1888-2016 https://www.rsssf.org/tablese/engall.html live https://web.archive.org/web/20250320213915/https://www.rsssf.org/tablese/engall.html 20 March 2025 8 August 2025 Rec.Sport.Soccer Statistics Foundation After finishing the previous season without winning any trophies, United won the Treble of the Premier League, FA Cup, and UEFA Champions League in 1998–99, the first side in English football to do so.Rindl Joe 9 June 2023 The 1999 Treble: Five games that helped Man Utd win Premier League, FA Cup & Champions League https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/65839378 live https://web.archive.org/web/20240518113116/https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/65839378 18 May 2024 8 August 2025 BBC Sport en-GB During the campaign, United lost only five times: in the Charity Shield against Arsenal; in the fifth round of the League Cup against eventual winners Tottenham Hotspur; and three times in the league, including their only home loss all season, against Middlesbrough in December 1998. A run of 33 games unbeaten in all competitions began on 26 December at home to Nottingham Forest, whom they beat 8–1 away from home in February 1999.2 May 2024 Man City vs Wolves: Pick of the stats https://www.bbc.com/sport/articles/crgyzzm8jjlo live https://web.archive.org/web/20240506043807/https://www.bbc.com/sport/articles/crgyzzm8jjlo 6 May 2024 8 August 2025 BBC Sport en-GB Manchester United, who went 33 games without defeat between December and May in the 1998-99 campaign. The season was characterised by comebacks, including the FA Cup fourth round against Liverpool, the semi-finals of the Champions League against Juventus, and the Champions League final, when Teddy Sheringham and Ole Gunnar Solskjær scored in injury time to overturn Bayern Munich's early lead. Veteran players Gary Pallister and Brian McClair had left the club before the season began, but their replacements, Dutch defender Jaap Stam from PSV Eindhoven and Trinidadian striker Dwight Yorke from Aston Villa, were both signed for club record fees. In November 1998, goalkeeper Peter Schmeichel announced his intention to leave the club after eight years at Old Trafford, joining Sporting CP at the end of the season. The club was subjected to a takeover bid of more than £600 million from British Sky Broadcasting early in the season, but it was blocked by the Monopolies and Mergers Commission in March 1999. Fans and writers regard the Treble as manager Alex Ferguson's greatest achievement. In recognition of his success, Ferguson was awarded a knighthood and handed the Freedom of the City of Glasgow in November 1999. David Beckham was named UEFA Club Footballer of the Year for the 1998–99 season, and was runner-up to Rivaldo for 1999's Ballon d'Or and FIFA World Player of the Year awards. 2025 , the Treble has only been matched once by an English club: by local rivals Manchester City in the 2022–23 season.Thomas-Humphreys Harry The full list of teams to have won the treble in European football Metro 10 June 2023 https://metro.co.uk/2023/06/10/full-list-of-teams-to-have-won-the-treble-in-european-football-18930419/ 11 June 2023 11 June 2023 https://web.archive.org/web/20230611000636/https://metro.co.uk/2023/06/10/full-list-of-teams-to-have-won-the-treble-in-european-football-18930419/ live Background 1997–98 Manchester United F.C. season Manchester United started the previous season by winning the Charity Shield.Moore Glenn 3 August 1997 United fall back on a gritty display https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/united-fall-back-on-a-gritty-display-1243676.html live https://web.archive.org/web/20250521193331/https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/united-fall-back-on-a-gritty-display-1243676.html 21 May 2025 10 August 2025 The Independent en-GB However, despite having a 12-point lead above second-placed Arsenal by the start of March, while having played three more matches, Arsenal's eight successive victories, paired with United's 1–0 loss against Arsenal at Old Trafford, meant that United finished second to them in the Premier League by a margin of one point.1997/98 Season Review https://www.premierleague.com/history/season-reviews/6/report live https://web.archive.org/web/20240816210041/https://www.premierleague.com/history/season-reviews/6/report 16 August 2024 10 August 2025 Premier League en United exited both the FA Cup in the Fifth Round to Barnsley 3–2 in a replay,26 February 1998 Schmeichel slip-up wrecks treble dream https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/sport/football/60186.stm live https://web.archive.org/web/20250603121825/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/sport/football/60186.stm 3 June 2025 10 August 2025 BBC News and the Champions League to Monaco in the quarter-finals on away goals.Moore Glenn 19 March 1998 Football: Monaco and bust for sorry United https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football-monaco-and-bust-for-sorry-united-1151168.html live https://web.archive.org/web/20250627171522/https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football-monaco-and-bust-for-sorry-united-1151168.html 27 June 2025 10 August 2025 The Independent en-GB Ipswich Town, who were in the second-tier First Division at the time, defeated them 1–0 in the League Cup Third Round.15 October 1997 Football: United kids needed cup says Albiston https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football-united-kids-needed-cup-says-albiston-1236217.html live https://web.archive.org/web/20221019164552/https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football-united-kids-needed-cup-says-albiston-1236217.html 19 October 2022 10 August 2025 The Independent thumb|200px|Alex Ferguson was the manager of Manchester United from 1986 to 2013. Ahead of the 1998–99 season, Martin Edwards, the chief executive of the club, questioned manager Alex Ferguson's commitment to the club, who had almost left the club after chairman Roland Smith sent him a letter. Edwards told the Daily Mail:Jepson Anthony 2 September 2017 Fergie almost quit Manchester United before treble season after bust-up http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/man-utd-news-ferguson-edwards-13563888 live https://web.archive.org/web/20210614162218/https://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/man-utd-news-ferguson-edwards-13563888 14 June 2021 10 August 2025 Manchester Evening News en We hadn't won anything and to be honest we were dissatisfied. We wondered if Alex [Ferguson] had taken his eye off the ball a little and if his celebrity status and interest in horses had maybe not helped. So we told him our feelings and Roland [Smith] thought we should follow it up with a letter. He received it and came pretty much straight back in to see me. He was furious, saying: 'If that's what you think of me then get stuffed... I am resigning'. And off he went. Pre-season and friendlies Manchester United played four pre-season games ahead of the 1998–99 campaign. After losing 4–3 away to Birmingham City, they toured Scandinavia for three matches, starting with a 2–2 draw against Vålerenga, before comprehensive wins over Brøndby (6–0) and Brann (4–0). After the season began, they played a friendly against a European XI selected by former striker Eric Cantona as a 40-year memorial to the Munich air disaster; Cantona played for both teams during the match, which Manchester United won 8–4. A testimonial for Teddy Scott was scheduled against Aberdeen at Pittodrie in January; United lost 7–6 on penalties after a 1–1 draw in 90 minutes.http://www.sportinglife.com/football/premiership/manu/reports/story_get.cgi?STORY_NAME=soccer/99/01/18/SOCCER_Aberdeen_Nightlead.html&TEAMHD=manu&DIV=prem&TEAM=MANCHESTER--UNITED&RH=Manchester--United&PREV_SEASON=1997&BID= Aberdeen 1 Manchester United 1 (7–6 on penalties) 18 January 1999 1 October 2011 Buckland Simon Sporting Life Press Association dead https://web.archive.org/web/20111025175646/http://www.sportinglife.com/football/premiership/manu/reports/story_get.cgi?STORY_NAME=soccer%2F99%2F01%2F18%2FSOCCER_Aberdeen_Nightlead.html&TEAMHD=manu&DIV=prem&TEAM=MANCHESTER--UNITED&RH=Manchester--United&PREV_SEASON=1997&BID= 25 October 2011 DateOpponentsH / AResultF–AScorersAttendance25 July 1998Birmingham CityA3–4Mulryne (3) 21', 38', 56' (pen.)20,70827 July 1998VålerengaA2–2Scholes 12', Solskjær 14'19,70031 July 1998BrøndbyA6–0Sheringham (2) 33', 71', Scholes 44', Cole (2) 66', 84', Cruyff 90'27,0224 August 1998BrannA4–0Irwin (3) 43', 44' (pen.), 55' (pen.), Cole 82'16,10018 August 1998European XISquad selected by Eric Cantona.H8–4P. Neville, Butt, Scholes, Giggs, Cantona, Cruyff, Notman (2)55,12118 January 1999AberdeenA1–1(6–7p)Johnsen 51'21,500 Colours: Green = Manchester United win; Yellow = draw; Red = opponents win. FA Charity Shield 1998 FA Charity Shield The Charity Shield is played between the previous year's Premier League winner and the FA Cup winner, or the league runners-up if a club won both the league and the FA Cup. Manchester United, as league runners-up, faced the previous season's Double winners Arsenal on 9 August 1998 at Wembley Stadium in front of a crowd of 67,342. Goals from Marc Overmars, Christopher Wreh, and Nicolas Anelka left United losing the game 3–0.https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football-arsenal-show-united-little-charity-1170865.html https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220501/https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football-arsenal-show-united-little-charity-1170865.html 1 May 2022 subscription Arsenal show United little charity The Independent Moore Glenn 10 August 1998 16 May 2011 London , Roy Keane made his comeback after almost a year out injuredRoy Keane https://www.manutd.com/en/players-and-staff/detail/roy-keane live https://web.archive.org/web/20250517150611/https://www.manutd.com/en/players-and-staff/detail/roy-keane 17 May 2025 8 August 2025 Manchester United en [Roy Keane's] season was cut short by a cruciate knee ligament injury[.] and Jaap Stam made his debut for United.Ashby Ben 1 September 2018 Treble Twenty: The story of August 1998 https://www.manutd.com/en/news/detail/man-united-treble-twenty-review-of-august-1998 live https://web.archive.org/web/20220505092518/https://www.manutd.com/en/news/detail/man-united-treble-twenty-review-of-august-1998 5 May 2022 7 August 2025 Manchester United en Stam's Reds debut came in the Charity Shield against Arsenal[.] DateOpponentsH / AResultF–AScorersAttendance9 August 1998ArsenalN0–367,342 FA Premier League 1998–99 FA Premier League The Premier League is the top division of English league football. 20 clubs play against each other twice, with one match played in a club's stadium and the other in the opponent's stadium. Three points are awarded for a win, one point for a draw, and none for a loss. At the end of the season, the top two teams qualified for next year's UEFA Champions League, the third-placed team qualified for the qualifying rounds of the Champions League, the fourth-placed team qualified for the UEFA Cup, and the bottom three teams were relegated to the Football League First Division.20 December 1999 England 1998/99 https://www.rsssf.org/tablese/eng99.html live https://web.archive.org/web/20250122193352/https://www.rsssf.org/tablese/eng99.html 22 January 2025 10 August 2025 RSSSF August–October In the first match of the season, Manchester United faced Leicester City at Old Trafford and went a goal down within seven minutes, when Emile Heskey turned in Muzzy Izzet's cross via the crossbar. Tony Cottee – the scorer in the previous season's corresponding fixtureManchester United v Leicester City https://www.premierleague.com/en/match/16483 9 August 2025 Premier League en 15 August 2025 https://web.archive.org/web/20250815162326/https://www.premierleague.com/en/match/16483 live  – added a second with 15 minutes remaining. A long-range shot from David Beckham deflected in off Teddy Sheringham three minutes later, before Beckham himself scored with a direct free kick to salvage a point for the home side.http://www.sportinglife.com/football/premiership/manu/reports/story_get.cgi?STORY_NAME=soccer/98/08/15/SOCCER_Man_Utd_Nightlead.html&TEAMHD=manu&DIV=prem&TEAM=MANCHESTER--UNITED&RH=Manchester--United&PREV_SEASON=1997&BID= https://web.archive.org/web/20111025182808/http://www.sportinglife.com/football/premiership/manu/reports/story_get.cgi?STORY_NAME=soccer%2F98%2F08%2F15%2FSOCCER_Man_Utd_Nightlead.html&TEAMHD=manu&DIV=prem&TEAM=MANCHESTER--UNITED&RH=Manchester--United&PREV_SEASON=1997&BID= dead 25 October 2011 Man Utd 2 Leicester 2 15 August 1998 12 May 2011 Anderson David Sporting Life Press Association The team's first away game followed at West Ham United, but despite the debut of striker Dwight Yorke, United were held to a goalless draw. Beckham, who had become a national hate figure after his dismissal at the World Cup, was poorly received by West Ham supporters, with his every touch of the ball jeered. Bottles and stones were directed at the team bus prior to kick-off.https://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sport/football/fa_carling_premiership/156542.stm Beckham runs gauntlet at West Ham 29 August 1998 12 May 2011 BBC News British Broadcasting Corporation 13 January 2016 https://web.archive.org/web/20160113000312/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sport/football/fa_carling_premiership/156542.stm live After the game, Ferguson, his players, and the Manchester United staff refused to be interviewed by the press or television.https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football-beckham-takes-the-heat-off-yorke-1173846.html https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220501/https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football-beckham-takes-the-heat-off-yorke-1173846.html 1 May 2022 subscription live Beckham takes heat off Yorke The Independent Moore Glenn 24 August 1998 12 May 2011 London Manchester United recorded their first win of the season on 9 September, beating newly promoted Charlton Athletic 4–1.https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football-yorke-steals-the-united-show-1197235.html https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220501/https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football-yorke-steals-the-united-show-1197235.html 1 May 2022 Yorke steals the United Show The Independent Hodgson Guy 10 September 1998 12 May 2011 London Yorke and Ole Gunnar Solskjær each scored a brace to overturn the visitors' early lead. Old Trafford was covered in graffiti against the proposed takeover of the club by BSkyB.https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football-business-as-usual-at-old-trafford-1197236.html https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220501/https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football-business-as-usual-at-old-trafford-1197236.html 1 May 2022 subscription Business as usual at Old Trafford The Independent Hatfield Dave 10 September 1998 12 May 2011 London Chants were directed at chairman Martin Edwards, who had given his support to the merger.Ross Ian 6 October 1999 Edwards takes £40m in United share sell-off https://www.theguardian.com/football/1999/oct/07/newsstory.sport6 live https://web.archive.org/web/20250113143717/https://www.theguardian.com/football/1999/oct/07/newsstory.sport6 13 January 2025 10 August 2025 The Guardian en-GB The following week, ahead of their midweek UEFA Champions League group stage visit against Barcelona, United earned a 2–0 victory against Coventry City, thanks to goals from Yorke and Ronny Johnsen.https://www.theguardian.com/football/1998/sep/12/newsstory.sport Hungry hit man Yorke The Guardian Wilson Paul 12 September 1998 12 May 2011 London However, a 3–0 defeat to defending champions Arsenal left the team in 10th place after five matches,http://www.independent.ie/sport/fergie-shellshocked-by-awesome-gunners-433473.html Fergie shell-shocked by awesome Gunners Telegraph Media Group Winter Henry 21 September 1998 12 May 2011 London with Arsenal winning against United in four consecutive matches;20 September 1998 Ten-man United shot down by Gunners https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/sport/football/fa_carling_premiership/176034.stm live https://web.archive.org/web/20240517105356/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/sport/football/fa_carling_premiership/176034.stm 17 May 2024 10 August 2025 BBC News goals from Tony Adams, Nicolas Anelka, and Freddie Ljungberg condemned Manchester United to their second 3–0 defeat by Arsenal in the season. Midfielder Nicky Butt, who had been sent off in the Champions League match earlier in the week, was handed a second red card in the space of four days for a foul on Patrick Vieira. After the match, Alex Ferguson admitted that his team was inferior to Arsenal, and later called their performance "depressing".Lacey David Lacey By David 19 September 1998 Arsenal enforce the new order https://www.theguardian.com/football/1998/sep/20/match.sport live https://web.archive.org/web/20171212180038/https://www.theguardian.com/football/1998/sep/20/match.sport 12 December 2017 9 August 2025 The Guardian en-GBFerguson Meek 2000 30: "Our performance was so disappointing, even depressing[.]" United ended the month with a win, beating rivals Liverpool 2–0 to move into fifth spot, with Denis Irwin scoring a penalty and Paul Scholes scoring a cross from Andy Cole.Winter Henry 25 September 1998 Irwin sparks triumph as Red Devils rediscover fire http://www.independent.ie/sport/irwin-sparks-triumph-as-red-devils-rediscover-fire-434020.html dead https://web.archive.org/web/20221205223007/https://www.independent.ie/sport/irwin-sparks-triumph-as-red-devils-rediscover-fire-26175492.html 5 December 2022 12 May 2011 The Independent London A trip to face Southampton at The Dell on 3 October was taken with caution, given United's return from Munich in the Champions League and poor record on the ground: United had lost to Southampton on each of their last three visits, including a 6–3 defeat in 1996.https://www.theguardian.com/football/2011/oct/24/manchester-united-heavy-defeats-city What next for Manchester United after their 6–1 defeat by City? 24 October 2011 7 January 2012 Nakrani Sachin The Guardian Cole was paired with Yorke for only the second time in the season, a tactic that paid off as both got on the scoresheet. Substitute Jordi Cruyff added a third in the 75th minute to move United into second place in the table, four points behind leaders Aston Villa.http://www.sportinglife.com/football/premiership/manu/reports/story_get.cgi?STORY_NAME=soccer/98/10/03/SOCCER_Southampton_Nightlead.html&TEAMHD=manu&DIV=prem&TEAM=MANCHESTER--UNITED&RH=Manchester--United&PREV_SEASON=1997&BID= Southampton 0 Manchester United 3 3 October 1998 12 May 2011 Bradley Mark Sporting Life Press Association dead https://web.archive.org/web/20111025171213/http://www.sportinglife.com/football/premiership/manu/reports/story_get.cgi?STORY_NAME=soccer%2F98%2F10%2F03%2FSOCCER_Southampton_Nightlead.html&TEAMHD=manu&DIV=prem&TEAM=MANCHESTER--UNITED&RH=Manchester--United&PREV_SEASON=1997&BID= 25 October 2011 An international break followed the game, pausing club football for two weeks.Bartram Steve 1 November 2018 Manchester United Treble 20 Review of October 1998 https://www.manutd.com/en/news/detail/manchester-united-treble-20-review-of-october-1998 live https://web.archive.org/web/20250618185415/https://www.manutd.com/en/news/detail/manchester-united-treble-20-review-of-october-1998 18 June 2025 10 August 2025 Manchester United en [T]he ensuing international break[.] Upon their return, Raimond van der Gouw, who deputised for injured goalkeeper and captain Peter Schmeichel at Southampton, featured again at home to Wimbledon, a match that Manchester United won 5–1, the biggest win of the season at Old Trafford. Ryan Giggs, Beckham, Yorke, and Cole all scored, with Cole scoring twice; Ferguson, in particular, hailed the contribution of 19-year-old defender Wes Brown.https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football-united-sound-a-warning-to-rivals-1179349.html https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220501/https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football-united-sound-a-warning-to-rivals-1179349.html 1 May 2022 subscription United sound a warning to rivals The Independent Hatfield Dave 19 October 1998 12 May 2011 London United earned a point away at Derby County on 24 October, with Cruyff scoring a late equaliser for United following Darryl Powell's goal,24 October 1998 UNITED GRAB LATE POINT http://www.manutd.com/matches/match.sps?id=10011 live https://web.archive.org/web/20001217204800/http://www.manutd.com/matches/match.sps?id=10011 17 December 2000 10 August 2025 Manchester United and beat Everton 4–1 at Goodison Park on 31 October to cut the gap at the top to just a point.http://www.sportinglife.com/football/premiership/manu/reports/story_get.cgi?STORY_NAME=soccer/98/10/31/SOCCER_Everton_Nightlead.html&TEAMHD=manu&DIV=prem&TEAM=MANCHESTER--UNITED&RH=Manchester--United&PREV_SEASON=1997&BID= Everton 1 Manchester United 4 31 October 1998 12 May 2011 Walker Paul Sporting Life Press Association dead https://web.archive.org/web/20111025182035/http://www.sportinglife.com/football/premiership/manu/reports/story_get.cgi?STORY_NAME=soccer%2F98%2F10%2F31%2FSOCCER_Everton_Nightlead.html&TEAMHD=manu&DIV=prem&TEAM=MANCHESTER--UNITED&RH=Manchester--United&PREV_SEASON=1997&BID= 25 October 2011 November–December thumb|175px|Peter Schmeichel, Manchester United's captain and main goalkeeper during the season. Manchester United failed to score in a goalless draw against Newcastle United,http://www.independent.ie/sport/dynamic-keane-fails-to-pick-up-flat-united-426242.html Dynamic Keane fails to pick up flat United Telegraph Media Group Winter Henry 9 November 1998 12 May 2011 London but made amends with a 3–2 victory over the bottom team, Blackburn Rovers.http://www.sportinglife.com/football/premiership/manu/reports/story_get.cgi?STORY_NAME=soccer/98/11/14/SOCCER_Man_Utd_Nightlead.html&TEAMHD=manu&DIV=prem&TEAM=MANCHESTER--UNITED&RH=Manchester--United&PREV_SEASON=1997&BID= Manchester United 3 Blackburn 2 14 November 1998 12 May 2011 Anderson David Sporting Life Press Association dead https://web.archive.org/web/20111025190714/http://www.sportinglife.com/football/premiership/manu/reports/story_get.cgi?STORY_NAME=soccer%2F98%2F11%2F14%2FSOCCER_Man_Utd_Nightlead.html&TEAMHD=manu&DIV=prem&TEAM=MANCHESTER--UNITED&RH=Manchester--United&PREV_SEASON=1997&BID= 25 October 2011 Defensive frailties, most notably from Schmeichel, who had announced his intention to leave Manchester United at the end of the season,https://www.theguardian.com/football/1998/nov/13/newsstory.sport2?INTCMP=SRCH Schmeichel announces retirement The Guardian Walker Michael 13 November 1998 3 October 2011 London were on show away to Sheffield Wednesday as the team missed the chance to go top of the table, losing 3–1. A brace from winger Niclas Alexandersson and a debut goal scored by Wim Jonk consigned Ferguson to his second defeat in the league and extended a barren run at Hillsborough: United had won only a single game in their last eight league visits.Kempton Russel 23 November 1998 United go under due to overconfidence http://www.independent.ie/sport/united-go-under-due-to-overconfidence-427791.html dead https://web.archive.org/web/20221205230016/https://www.independent.ie/sport/united-go-under-due-to-over-confidence-26169264.html 5 December 2022 12 May 2011 The Times London On 29 November, Manchester United hosted Leeds United; Leeds opened the scoring with just under half an hour played, but a goal either side of half-time gave United the lead. Leeds equalised in the 52nd minute, Butt scored after receiving the ball from Phil Neville and spinning around, securing three points for United.http://www.sportinglife.com/football/premiership/manu/reports/story_get.cgi?STORY_NAME=soccer/98/11/29/SOCCER_Man_Utd.html&TEAMHD=manu&DIV=prem&TEAM=MANCHESTER--UNITED&RH=Manchester--United&PREV_SEASON=1997&BID= https://web.archive.org/web/20111025184642/http://www.sportinglife.com/football/premiership/manu/reports/story_get.cgi?STORY_NAME=soccer%2F98%2F11%2F29%2FSOCCER_Man_Utd.html&TEAMHD=manu&DIV=prem&TEAM=MANCHESTER--UNITED&RH=Manchester--United&PREV_SEASON=1997&BID= dead 25 October 2011 Manchester United 3 Leeds 2 29 November 1998 12 May 2011 Anderson David Sporting Life Press Association Three straight draws followed in December, the first away to league leaders Aston Villa.http://www.sportinglife.com/football/premiership/manu/reports/story_get.cgi?STORY_NAME=soccer/98/12/05/SOCCER_Villa_Nightlead.html&TEAMHD=manu&DIV=prem&TEAM=MANCHESTER--UNITED&RH=Manchester--United&PREV_SEASON=1997&BID= https://web.archive.org/web/20111025181705/http://www.sportinglife.com/football/premiership/manu/reports/story_get.cgi?STORY_NAME=soccer%2F98%2F12%2F05%2FSOCCER_Villa_Nightlead.html&TEAMHD=manu&DIV=prem&TEAM=MANCHESTER--UNITED&RH=Manchester--United&PREV_SEASON=1997&BID= dead 25 October 2011 Aston Villa 1 Manchester United 1 5 December 1998 12 May 2011 Bradley Mark Sporting Life Press Association United were fortunate to pick up a point given their opponents' dominance in the second half. At the match against Tottenham Hotspur, United surrendered a 2–0 lead: Solskjær put United two goals ahead, but in the 39th minute, Gary Neville received a red card for a second bookable offence, tugging on David Ginola's shirt. Spurs captain Sol Campbell brought his team back into the match with 20 minutes remaining and powered a header into the top left-hand corner just before full-time. Ferguson refused to comment after the match. Despite losing the lead, the result put United top of the league on goal difference ahead of Aston Villa, before they faced Arsenal the following day.14 December 1998 Villa regain pride of place; Hotshots come from behind Arsenal and knock United off the top https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=67ROAAAAIBAJ&pg=4449,6291941&dq=manchester+united+tottenham&hl=en 10 August 2025 New Straits Times 40 19 December 2024 https://web.archive.org/web/20241219114614/https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=67ROAAAAIBAJ&pg=4449,6291941&dq=manchester+united+tottenham&hl=en live Four days later, United missed the chance to lead the table again as Chelsea drew at Old Trafford: despite Chelsea not having a good chance at scoring until the 25th minute, United surrendered a 1–0 lead with a Gianfranco Zola goal from a Gustavo Poyet pass in the 81st minute, following a goal by Cole from "the unlikliest of positions" in the stoppage time of first half.https://www.theguardian.com/football/1998/dec/17/match.sport?INTCMP=SRCH Zola finds drawing power The Guardian Lacey David 17 December 1998 12 May 2011 London Manchester United, who were without their manager Ferguson for the Middlesbrough game due to family bereavement,https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football-boro-expose-united-plan-to-dominate-1193781.html https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220501/https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football-boro-expose-united-plan-to-dominate-1193781.html 1 May 2022 Boro expose United plan to dominate The Independent Hodgson Guy 21 December 1998 12 May 2011 London were beaten 3–2; it was their last defeat of the season.https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=_1ZIAAAAIBAJ&pg=5431,2765850&dq=manchester+united+chelsea&hl=en Chelsea finally rule the roost; Blues go top as United slump to shock home defeat New Straits Times 21 December 1998 12 May 2011 Kuala Lumpur 5 December 2022 https://web.archive.org/web/20221205221502/https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=_1ZIAAAAIBAJ&pg=5431,2765850&dq=manchester+united+chelsea&hl=en live Having failed to keep a clean sheet since 8 November, The Independent declared that United would not win the league, citing a shallow squad. Ferguson returned on 26 December, as the team collected their only win in the month of December against Nottingham Forest by beating them 3–0, including two goals from Ronny Johnsen and a goal from Giggs.http://www.sportinglife.com/football/premiership/manu/reports/story_get.cgi?STORY_NAME=soccer/98/12/26/SOCCER_Man_Utd_Nightlead.html&TEAMHD=manu&DIV=prem&TEAM=MANCHESTER--UNITED&RH=Manchester--United&PREV_SEASON=1997&BID= https://web.archive.org/web/20111025181500/http://www.sportinglife.com/football/premiership/manu/reports/story_get.cgi?STORY_NAME=soccer%2F98%2F12%2F26%2FSOCCER_Man_Utd_Nightlead.html&TEAMHD=manu&DIV=prem&TEAM=MANCHESTER--UNITED&RH=Manchester--United&PREV_SEASON=1997&BID= dead 25 October 2011 Manchester United 3 Nottingham Forest 0 26 December 1998 12 May 2011 Anderson David Sporting Life Press Association United's last match of 1998 was a goalless draw at Stamford Bridge, two weeks after the reverse fixture, to solidify their position in the top four.https://www.theguardian.com/football/1998/dec/30/match.sport2?INTCMP=SRCH Flo fluffs leading lines The Guardian Lacey David 30 December 1998 12 May 2011 London January–February A power failure at Old Trafford, caused by "unprecedented demand for electricity," delayed the match against West Ham on 10 January by 45 minutes, a match that ended 4–1 to Manchester United.12 February 1999 The times the lights went out https://www.theguardian.com/football/1999/feb/12/newsstory.sport8 live https://web.archive.org/web/20140507211759/http://www.theguardian.com/football/1999/feb/12/newsstory.sport8 7 May 2014 9 August 2025 The Guardian en-GB The partnership of Yorke and Cole was evident in the 6–2 win at Leicester City: five goals were scored in the second half, including two goals each for Yorke and Cole and defender Jaap Stam's only goal for the club, cutting Chelsea's lead at the top to two points.Marshall Adam 16 January 2022 Jaap Stam scored only Man Utd goal v Leicester on this day https://www.manutd.com/en/news/detail/jaap-stam-scored-only-man-utd-goal-v-leicester-on-this-day live https://web.archive.org/web/20250116110119/https://www.manutd.com/en/news/detail/jaap-stam-scored-only-man-utd-goal-v-leicester-on-this-day 16 January 2025 9 August 2025 Manchester United enhttp://www.sportinglife.com/football/premiership/manu/reports/story_get.cgi?STORY_NAME=soccer/99/01/16/SOCCER_Leicester_Nightlead.html&TEAMHD=manu&DIV=prem&TEAM=MANCHESTER--UNITED&RH=Manchester--United&PREV_SEASON=1997&BID= https://web.archive.org/web/20111025182738/http://www.sportinglife.com/football/premiership/manu/reports/story_get.cgi?STORY_NAME=soccer%2F99%2F01%2F16%2FSOCCER_Leicester_Nightlead.html&TEAMHD=manu&DIV=prem&TEAM=MANCHESTER--UNITED&RH=Manchester--United&PREV_SEASON=1997&BID= dead 25 October 2011 Leicester 2 Man Utd 6 16 January 1999 12 May 2011 Curtis John Sporting Life Press Association On 31 January, Manchester United moved a point clear at the top of the league for the first time in the season. Yorke's late header in the 89th minute made the 1–0 victory at Charlton Athletic their third consecutive league win and their fifth in January. Ferguson praised the team's resolve, adding, "It's a good result for us, because there are games where you have to dig in and find a result."https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football-yorke-marches-up-the-hill-1068106.html https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220501/https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football-yorke-marches-up-the-hill-1068106.html 1 May 2022 subscription Yorke marches up the hill The Independent Tongue Steve 1 February 1999 12 May 2011 London In February, the winning streak was extended to five matches, with a 1–0 victory at home to Derby County on 3 February to move four points ahead of Chelsea,http://www.sportinglife.com/football/premiership/manu/reports/story_get.cgi?STORY_NAME=soccer/99/02/03/SOCCER_Man_Utd_Nightlead.html&TEAMHD=manu&DIV=prem&TEAM=MANCHESTER--UNITED&RH=Manchester--United&PREV_SEASON=1997&BID= https://web.archive.org/web/20111025185649/http://www.sportinglife.com/football/premiership/manu/reports/story_get.cgi?STORY_NAME=soccer%2F99%2F02%2F03%2FSOCCER_Man_Utd_Nightlead.html&TEAMHD=manu&DIV=prem&TEAM=MANCHESTER--UNITED&RH=Manchester--United&PREV_SEASON=1997&BID= dead 25 October 2011 Man Utd 1 Derby 0 3 February 1999 12 May 2011 Anderson David Sporting Life Press Association followed by an 8–1 win against Nottingham Forest at the City Ground; after Yorke and Cole had scored two goals each, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer came off the bench and scored four times in the space of ten minutes to record the biggest away win in Premier League history,https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football-solskjaers-latest-and-greatest-1069198.html https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220501/https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football-solskjaers-latest-and-greatest-1069198.html 1 May 2022 subscription Solskjaer's latest and greatest The Independent Townsend Nick 7 February 1999 12 May 2011 London a record that stood for 20 years until Leicester City beat Southampton 9–0 in 2019.Steve Sutcliffe Southampton 0-9 Leicester City: Foxes equal record for biggest Premier League win https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/50092694 BBC Sport 25 October 2019 22 May 2021 26 October 2019 https://web.archive.org/web/20191026014344/https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/50092694 live 25 October 2019 Leicester make history with nine-goal triumph https://www.premierleague.com/en/news/1467398 live https://web.archive.org/web/20250809141602/https://www.premierleague.com/en/news/1467398 9 August 2025 9 August 2025 Premier League en Ron Atkinson, the manager of Nottingham Forest and Alex Ferguson's predecessor as Manchester United manager, declared Manchester United to be the best team in the league by "a country mile".https://www.theguardian.com/football/1999/feb/06/match.sport4?INTCMP=SRCH Solskjaer shows plenty in reserve The Guardian Thomas Russell 6 February 1999 12 May 2011 London During the home match against Arsenal on 17 February, the Gunners were without Dennis Bergkamp, Emmanuel Petit, and Martin Keown.http://www.arseweb.com/98-99/reports/170299.html Manchester United 1(0) – (0) 1 Arsenal 17 February 1999 12 May 2011 Arseweb.com 22 December 2015 https://web.archive.org/web/20151222163809/http://www.arseweb.com/98-99/reports/170299.html dead Arsenal conceded an early penalty when Ray Parlour brought down Johnsen, but Yorke missed, shooting wide of the right-hand post. They scored early in the second half as Nwankwo Kanu's through-ball found striker Anelka, who put Arsenal into the lead. Cole just after the hour mark drew the game level, and Arsenal conceded their first goal in the league since 13 December.Cole's goal was the first they (Arsenal) had conceded in the Premiership since 13 December. https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football-united-rescued-by-cole-1071629.html https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220501/https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football-united-rescued-by-cole-1071629.html 1 May 2022 subscription United rescued by Cole The Independent Hodgson Guy 18 February 1999 12 May 2011 London From then on, United had several chances to win the game, but a point each left the title race finely balanced. Back-to-back wins, starting with a 1–0 victory at Coventry on 20 February,http://www.sportinglife.com/football/premiership/manu/reports/story_get.cgi?STORY_NAME=soccer/99/02/20/SOCCER_Coventry_Nightlead.html&TEAMHD=manu&DIV=prem&TEAM=MANCHESTER--UNITED&RH=Manchester--United&PREV_SEASON=1997&BID= https://web.archive.org/web/20111025181639/http://www.sportinglife.com/football/premiership/manu/reports/story_get.cgi?STORY_NAME=soccer%2F99%2F02%2F20%2FSOCCER_Coventry_Nightlead.html&TEAMHD=manu&DIV=prem&TEAM=MANCHESTER--UNITED&RH=Manchester--United&PREV_SEASON=1997&BID= dead 25 October 2011 Coventry 0 Manchester United 1 20 February 1999 12 May 2011 Curtis John Sporting Life Press Association followed by a 2–1 win at home to Southampton a week later,http://www.sportinglife.com/football/premiership/manu/reports/story_get.cgi?STORY_NAME=soccer/99/02/27/SOCCER_Man_Utd_Nightlead.html&TEAMHD=manu&DIV=prem&TEAM=MANCHESTER--UNITED&RH=Manchester--United&PREV_SEASON=1997&BID= https://web.archive.org/web/20111025191540/http://www.sportinglife.com/football/premiership/manu/reports/story_get.cgi?STORY_NAME=soccer%2F99%2F02%2F27%2FSOCCER_Man_Utd_Nightlead.html&TEAMHD=manu&DIV=prem&TEAM=MANCHESTER--UNITED&RH=Manchester--United&PREV_SEASON=1997&BID= dead 25 October 2011 Manchester United 2 Southampton 1 27 February 1999 Anderson David 12 May 2011 Sporting Life Press Association maintained United's grip on the top spot.United 2 Southampton 1 https://www.manutd.com/en/videos/detail/man-utd-2-southampton-1-extended-highlights-premier-league-1998-99 2025-08-07 en United were top of the table and 12 games unbeaten when struggling Southampton visited M16 28 May 2022 https://web.archive.org/web/20220528160142/https://www.manutd.com/en/videos/detail/man-utd-2-southampton-1-extended-highlights-premier-league-1998-99 live March–May Cup duties were the main priority in March as United played only two league fixtures: away to Newcastle and at home to Everton. United won both games, including two goals by Cole against his former club Newcastle,https://www.theguardian.com/football/1999/mar/13/match.sport18?INTCMP=SRCH Giggs gets his point across The Guardian Walker Michael 13 March 1999 12 May 2011 London and three second-half goals in a 3–1 win against Everton.21 March 1999 UNITED COME TO LIFE TO LICK TOFFEES http://www.manutd.com/matches/match.sps?id=10031 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20001210120200/http://www.manutd.com/matches/match.sps?id=10031 10 December 2000 9 August 2025 Manchester United Manchester United could only manage a 1–1 draw at Wimbledon on 3 April as Beckham's well-drilled shot cancelled out Jason Euell's opener in the fifth minute.http://www.sportinglife.com/football/premiership/manu/reports/story_get.cgi?STORY_NAME=soccer/99/04/03/SOCCER_Wimbledon_Nightlead.html&TEAMHD=manu&DIV=prem&TEAM=MANCHESTER--UNITED&RH=Manchester--United&PREV_SEASON=1997&BID= https://web.archive.org/web/20111025182945/http://www.sportinglife.com/football/premiership/manu/reports/story_get.cgi?STORY_NAME=soccer%2F99%2F04%2F03%2FSOCCER_Wimbledon_Nightlead.html&TEAMHD=manu&DIV=prem&TEAM=MANCHESTER--UNITED&RH=Manchester--United&PREV_SEASON=1997&BID= dead 25 October 2011 Wimbledon 1 Man Utd 1 3 April 1999 12 May 2011 Bradley Mark Sporting Life Press Association Despite several of the first-team members being rested for the Juventus tie, United won 3–0 at Old Trafford against Sheffield Wednesdayhttps://www.theguardian.com/football/1999/apr/19/match.sport11?INTCMP=SRCH United raise the stakes The Guardian Thomas Russell 19 April 1999 12 May 2011 London and drew against Leeds to earn a point at Elland Road after the midweek tie at Juventus.http://www.independent.ie/sport/title-destined-for-old-trafford-says-oleary-412879.html Title destined for Old Trafford, says O'Leary Irish Independent Malley Frank 26 April 1999 12 May 2011 Dublin However, the result allowed Arsenal to move to the top of the table for the first time in the season, albeit having played one game more, after scoring six against Middlesbrough at the Riverside.https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/sport/football/fa_carling_premiership/327393.stm Awesome Arsenal take top spot 24 April 1999 12 May 2011 BBC News British Broadcasting Corporation 31 March 2008 https://web.archive.org/web/20080331020743/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sport/football/fa_carling_premiership/327393.stm live thumb|Premier League winner's medal at the Manchester United museum. Another victory over Aston Villa on 1 May put United back on top of the league, but Arsenal's win at Derby the next day restored the champions' advantage.Alexander David Arsenal vs Derby County http://www.arsenal.co.uk/gm50_hderby.htm dead https://web.archive.org/web/19991110011259/http://www.arsenal.co.uk/gm50_hderby.htm 10 November 1999 9 August 2025 Arsenal Against Liverpool at Anfield, Ferguson restored the Cole–Yorke strike partnership; the latter scored the opener from a Beckham cross. In the second half, United were awarded a penalty for a challenge on Jesper Blomqvist by Jamie Carragher, which Denis Irwin successfully converted; however, Irwin was sent off in the 75th minute for a second bookable offence, after Jamie Redknapp scored through a controversial penalty to give Liverpool hope. Former United midfielder Paul Ince scored the equaliser in the 88th minute. The United manager did not hide his discomfort, adding that he thought "the referee handed it to them".Hodgson Guy 6 May 1999 Ince checks United's title charge https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football-ince-checks-uniteds-title-charge-1091867.html live https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220501/https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football-ince-checks-uniteds-title-charge-1091867.html 1 May 2022 12 May 2011 The Independent London On the same night, Arsenal convincingly beat rivals Tottenham to move three points clear, having still played a game more, although Wenger admitted that United were marginal favourites.https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football-petit-puts-arsenal-on-the-way-1091868.html https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220501/https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football-petit-puts-arsenal-on-the-way-1091868.html 1 May 2022 subscription Petit puts Arsenal on the way The Independent Moore Glenn 6 May 1999 12 May 2011 We needed them to slip up to have a chance. We are not favourites, Manchester United have more games and therefore more chances to score goals. London With three games remaining, Yorke scored the only goal of the game away at Middlesbrough, helping his team return to the top of the table.10 May 1999 United sneak back to the top https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/sport/football/fa_carling_premiership/339491.stm live https://web.archive.org/web/20250611233904/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/sport/football/fa_carling_premiership/339491.stm 11 June 2025 9 August 2025 BBC News Two days later, Arsenal lost to Leeds 1–0 with Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink's late winner, requiring United to earn four points in the final two games to secure the title.https://www.theguardian.com/football/1999/may/12/match.sport Arsenal's title grip slips The Guardian Ross Ian 12 May 1999 12 May 2011 London 11 May 1999 Gunners' title hopes spiked https://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sport/football/fa_carling_premiership/341369.stm live https://web.archive.org/web/20250809151539/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/sport/football/fa_carling_premiership/341369.stm 9 August 2025 9 August 2025 BBC News A goalless draw at Ewood Park earned United a point, in the process relegating Blackburn Rovers, who were managed by former United assistant manager Brian Kidd.12 May 1999 Rovers down as United march on https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/sport/football/fa_carling_premiership/342408.stm live https://web.archive.org/web/20250125155453/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sport/football/fa_carling_premiership/342408.stm 25 January 2025 9 August 2025 BBC News This result meant that the title would be decided on the final day,9 May 2019 Final-day title deciders: Cole rescues Man Utd after scare https://www.premierleague.com/en/news/1213404 7 August 2025 Premier League en 7 August 2025 https://web.archive.org/web/20250807145227/https://www.premierleague.com/en/news/1213404 live as it had been in 1995.9 May 2019 Final-day title deciders: Blackburn triumph in dramatic day https://www.premierleague.com/en/news/1213283 live https://web.archive.org/web/20250730020949/https://www.premierleague.com/en/news/1213283 30 July 2025 7 August 2025 Premier League en On the final day, Manchester United secured the championship, their fifth in seven seasons, after Les Ferdinand had put Tottenham ahead, Beckham and Cole scored either side of half-time to give United a 2–1 win that rendered Arsenal's victory over Aston Villa irrelevant.http://www.sportinglife.com/football/premiership/manu/reports/story_get.cgi?STORY_NAME=soccer/99/05/16/SOCCER_Man_Utd_Nightlead.html&TEAMHD=manu&DIV=prem&TEAM=MANCHESTER--UNITED&RH=Manchester--United&PREV_SEASON=1997&BID= https://web.archive.org/web/20111025181324/http://www.sportinglife.com/football/premiership/manu/reports/story_get.cgi?STORY_NAME=soccer%2F99%2F05%2F16%2FSOCCER_Man_Utd_Nightlead.html&TEAMHD=manu&DIV=prem&TEAM=MANCHESTER--UNITED&RH=Manchester--United&PREV_SEASON=1997&BID= dead 25 October 2011 Manchester United 2 Tottenham 1 16 May 1999 12 May 2011 Malley Frank Sporting Life Press Association Matches DateOpponentsH / AResultF–AScorersAttendanceLeagueposition15 August 1998Leicester CityH2–2Sheringham 79', Beckham 90'55,0527th22 August 1998West Ham UnitedA0–026,03911th9 September 1998Charlton AthleticH4–1Solskjær (2) 39', 63', Yorke (2) 45', 48'55,1479th12 September 1998Coventry CityH2–0Yorke 20', Johnsen 48'55,1935th20 September 1998ArsenalA0–338,14210th24 September 1998LiverpoolH2–0Irwin 19' (pen.), Scholes 80'55,1815th3 October 1998SouthamptonA3–0Yorke 12', Cole 60', Cruyff 75'15,2512nd17 October 1998WimbledonH5–1Cole (2) 19', 88', Giggs 45', Beckham 47', Yorke 52'55,2652nd24 October 1998Derby CountyA1–1Cruyff 86'30,8672nd31 October 1998EvertonA4–1Yorke 14', Short 23' (o.g.), Cole 59', Blomqvist 64'40,0792nd8 November 1998Newcastle UnitedH0–055,1743rd14 November 1998Blackburn RoversH3–2Scholes (2) 31', 59', Yorke 43'55,1982nd21 November 1998Sheffield WednesdayA1–3Cole 29'39,4752nd29 November 1998Leeds UnitedH3–2Solskjær 45', Keane 46', Butt 78'55,1722nd5 December 1998Aston VillaA1–1Scholes 47'39,2412nd12 December 1998Tottenham HotspurA2–2Solskjær (2) 11', 18'36,0791st16 December 1998ChelseaH1–1Cole 45'55,1592nd19 December 1998MiddlesbroughH2–3Butt 62', Scholes 70'55,1523rd26 December 1998Nottingham ForestH3–0Johnsen (2) 28', 60', Giggs 62'55,2164th29 December 1998ChelseaA0–034,7414th10 January 1999West Ham UnitedH4–1Yorke 10', Cole (2) 40', 68', Solskjær 81'55,1803rd16 January 1999Leicester CityA6–2Yorke (3) 10', 64', 86', Cole (2) 50', 62', Stam 90'22,0913rd31 January 1999Charlton AthleticA1–0Yorke 89'20,0431st3 February 1999Derby CountyH1–0Yorke 65'55,1741st6 February 1999Nottingham ForestA8–1Yorke (2) 2', 67', Cole (2) 7', 50', Solskjær (4) 80', 88', 90', 90+1'30,0251st17 February 1999ArsenalH1–1Cole 61'55,1711st20 February 1999Coventry CityA1–0Giggs 79'22,5961st27 February 1999SouthamptonH2–1Keane 80', Yorke 84'55,3161st13 March 1999Newcastle UnitedA2–1Cole 25', 51'36,7761st21 March 1999EvertonH3–1Solskjær 55', G. Neville 64', Beckham 67'55,1821st3 April 1999WimbledonA1–1Beckham 44'26,1211st17 April 1999Sheffield WednesdayH3–0Solskjær 34', Sheringham 45', Scholes 62'55,2701st25 April 1999Leeds UnitedA1–1Cole 55'40,2552nd1 May 1999Aston VillaH2–1Watson 20' (o.g.), Beckham 47'55,1892nd5 May 1999LiverpoolA2–2Yorke 22', Irwin 57' (pen.)44,7022nd9 May 1999MiddlesbroughA1–0Yorke 45'34,6651st12 May 1999Blackburn RoversA0–030,4361st16 May 1999Tottenham HotspurH2–1Beckham 43', Cole 48'55,1891st Colours: Green = Manchester United win; Yellow = draw; Red = opponents win. Table MUN FA Cup 1998–99 FA Cup The FA Cup is the primary knockout cup competition in England, with each round consisting of a single match. The opponent and the venue of the match before the semi-finals were drawn randomly before each match. If a match is drawn, it would be replayed, typically at the venue of the away club of the first game. Premier League clubs are given a bye to the Third Round. Despite receiving a home draw in each of their first four rounds, United were paired against difficult opponents throughout the competition. En route to the final, they defeated four Premier League teams: Middlesbrough, Liverpool, Chelsea, and Arsenal. The only team from outside the top flight that United played in the competition was Fulham, who at the time played in the Second Division, the third tier of English football, although they claimed wins over Premier League sides Southampton and Aston Villa in the previous rounds.Ross Ian Ross By Ian 14 February 1999 Faltering Fulham left to wonder https://www.theguardian.com/football/1999/feb/14/match.sport2 live https://web.archive.org/web/20250807151743/https://www.theguardian.com/football/1999/feb/14/match.sport2 7 August 2025 7 August 2025 The Guardian en-GB In the Third Round, United were drawn against Middlesbrough, who had beaten them in the league less than a month prior. Andy Townsend gave Middlesbrough the lead early in the second half, but goals from Cole, Irwin, and Giggs gave United a 3–1 victory.https://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sport/football/247413.stm BBC News British Broadcasting Corporation United set up clash of the giants 3 January 1999 7 January 2012 30 January 2004 https://web.archive.org/web/20040130102742/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sport/football/247413.stm live United faced Liverpool at home in the following round, where the visitors took the lead from a Michael Owen header inside three minutes. In spite of creating plenty of goal-scoring chances, the team failed to equalise until the 86th minute, when Yorke scored after a Beckham free kick was headed into his path by Cole inside the six-yard box. In the second minute of stoppage time, Solskjær hit a shot through the legs of Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher that beat goalkeeper David James at his near post to give United the win.https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football-solskjaer-sting-in-uniteds-tail--manchester-united--2-liverpool-1-1076276.html https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220501/https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football-solskjaer-sting-in-uniteds-tail--manchester-united--2-liverpool-1-1076276.html 1 May 2022 subscription Solskjaer sting in United's tail : Manchester United 2 Liverpool 1 The Independent Moore Glenn 25 January 1999 17 May 2011 London In the Fifth Round, Cole scored the only goal of the match in the 25th minute against Fulham to set up a quarter-final clash at home to Chelsea.http://www.sportinglife.com/football/premiership/manu/reports/story_get.cgi?STORY_NAME=soccer/99/02/14/SOCCER_Man_Utd_Nightlead.html&TEAMHD=manu&DIV=prem&TEAM=MANCHESTER--UNITED&RH=Manchester--United&PREV_SEASON=1997&BID= https://web.archive.org/web/20111025181224/http://www.sportinglife.com/football/premiership/manu/reports/story_get.cgi?STORY_NAME=soccer%2F99%2F02%2F14%2FSOCCER_Man_Utd_Nightlead.html&TEAMHD=manu&DIV=prem&TEAM=MANCHESTER--UNITED&RH=Manchester--United&PREV_SEASON=1997&BID= dead 25 October 2011 Manchester United 1 Fulham 0 14 February 1999 17 May 2011 Malley Frank Sporting Life Press Association Although there were no goals, Scholes and Roberto Di Matteo were both sent off in the Sixth Round and missed the replay three days later at Stamford Bridge.http://www.sportinglife.com/football/premiership/manu/reports/story_get.cgi?STORY_NAME=soccer/99/03/07/SOCCER_Man_Utd_Nightlead.html&TEAMHD=manu&DIV=prem&TEAM=MANCHESTER--UNITED&RH=Manchester--United&PREV_SEASON=1997&BID= https://web.archive.org/web/20111025190428/http://www.sportinglife.com/football/premiership/manu/reports/story_get.cgi?STORY_NAME=soccer%2F99%2F03%2F07%2FSOCCER_Man_Utd_Nightlead.html&TEAMHD=manu&DIV=prem&TEAM=MANCHESTER--UNITED&RH=Manchester--United&PREV_SEASON=1997&BID= dead 25 October 2011 Manchester United 0 Chelsea 0 7 March 1999 18 May 2011 Bradley Mark Sporting Life Press Association Yorke scored two goals against the Blues in the replay, scoring United's 100th goal of the season.http://www.sportinglife.com/football/premiership/manu/reports/story_get.cgi?STORY_NAME=soccer/99/03/10/SOCCER_Chelsea_Nightlead.html&TEAMHD=manu&DIV=prem&TEAM=MANCHESTER--UNITED&RH=Manchester--United&PREV_SEASON=1997&BID= https://web.archive.org/web/20111025170840/http://www.sportinglife.com/football/premiership/manu/reports/story_get.cgi?STORY_NAME=soccer%2F99%2F03%2F10%2FSOCCER_Chelsea_Nightlead.html&TEAMHD=manu&DIV=prem&TEAM=MANCHESTER--UNITED&RH=Manchester--United&PREV_SEASON=1997&BID= dead 25 October 2011 Chelsea 0 Manchester United 2 10 March 1999 18 May 2011 Bradley Mark Sporting Life Press Association thumb|250px|Players of Manchester United and Newcastle United lining up for the 1999 FA Cup final. Manchester United played cup holders Arsenal in the semi-final at Villa Park on 11 April. Neither team was able to score even after extra time had been played, although Keane had a goal ruled out in the first half for a controversial offside decision against Yorke in the build-up, and Nelson Vivas was sent off for Arsenal. In the replay four days later, Beckham opened the scoring for United with a long-range effort, but Dennis Bergkamp drew Arsenal level with a shot that deflected off United's centre back Jaap Stam.http://www.sportinglife.com/football/premiership/manu/reports/story_get.cgi?STORY_NAME=soccer/99/04/11/SOCCER_Villa_Park.html&TEAMHD=manu&DIV=prem&TEAM=MANCHESTER--UNITED&RH=Manchester--United&PREV_SEASON=1997&BID= https://web.archive.org/web/20111025183203/http://www.sportinglife.com/football/premiership/manu/reports/story_get.cgi?STORY_NAME=soccer%2F99%2F04%2F11%2FSOCCER_Villa_Park.html&TEAMHD=manu&DIV=prem&TEAM=MANCHESTER--UNITED&RH=Manchester--United&PREV_SEASON=1997&BID= dead 25 October 2011 Manchester United 0 Arsenal 0 11 April 1999 18 May 2011 Bradley Mark Sporting Life Press Association Arsenal then thought they had taken the lead when Nicolas Anelka put the ball in the back of United's net, but the goal was ruled out for offside. United's captain, Roy Keane, was red-carded for two bookable offences and United played the last half-hour of normal time with 10 men. In injury time at the end of the second half, Phil Neville fouled Ray Parlour in the penalty area. Peter Schmeichel parried away Bergkamp's resultant penalty, and the game went into extra time.Kelleher Michael 24 January 2019 Peter Schmeichel's save in 1999 FA Cup semi-final cost Arsenal the Double, says Ole Gunnar Solskjaer https://www.skysports.com/football/news/34651/11616191/peter-schmeichels-save-in-1999-fa-cup-semi-final-cost-arsenal-the-double-says-ole-gunnar-solskjaer live https://web.archive.org/web/20250223211747/https://www.skysports.com/football/news/34651/11616191/peter-schmeichels-save-in-1999-fa-cup-semi-final-cost-arsenal-the-double-says-ole-gunnar-solskjaer 23 February 2025 7 August 2025 Sky Sports Giggs scored partway through the second half of extra time. Picking up possession on the halfway line after a loose pass from Patrick Vieira, he dribbled past the entire Arsenal back line before shooting just under goalkeeper David Seaman's bar. Giggs ran celebrating towards the United fans, and United held on to beat the Gunners 2–1.http://www.sportinglife.com/football/premiership/manu/reports/story_get.cgi?STORY_NAME=soccer/99/04/14/SOCCER_Man_Utd_Nightlead.html&TEAMHD=manu&DIV=prem&TEAM=MANCHESTER--UNITED&RH=Manchester--United&PREV_SEASON=1997&BID= https://web.archive.org/web/20111025173500/http://www.sportinglife.com/football/premiership/manu/reports/story_get.cgi?STORY_NAME=soccer%2F99%2F04%2F14%2FSOCCER_Man_Utd_Nightlead.html&TEAMHD=manu&DIV=prem&TEAM=MANCHESTER--UNITED&RH=Manchester--United&PREV_SEASON=1997&BID= dead 25 October 2011 Arsenal 1 Manchester United 2 (aet) 14 April 1999 18 May 2011 Bradley Mark Sporting Life Press Association Manchester United met Newcastle United in the final at Wembley Stadium, the penultimate FA Cup final to be held there before it was closed for rebuilding. Less than 10 minutes into the match, Keane was injured and replaced by Sheringham. Scholes and Sheringham both finished with a goal apiece in the 2–0 win that sealed the double.http://www.sportinglife.com/football/premiership/manu/reports/story_get.cgi?STORY_NAME=soccer/99/05/22/SOCCER_Cup_Nightlead.html&TEAMHD=manu&DIV=prem&TEAM=MANCHESTER--UNITED&RH=Manchester--United&PREV_SEASON=1997&BID= https://web.archive.org/web/20111025180412/http://www.sportinglife.com/football/premiership/manu/reports/story_get.cgi?STORY_NAME=soccer%2F99%2F05%2F22%2FSOCCER_Cup_Nightlead.html&TEAMHD=manu&DIV=prem&TEAM=MANCHESTER--UNITED&RH=Manchester--United&PREV_SEASON=1997&BID= dead 25 October 2011 Manchester United 2 Newcastle 0 Bradley Mark 22 May 1999 18 May 2011 Sporting Life Press Association DateRoundOpponentsH / AResultF–AScorersAttendance3 January 1999Third RoundMiddlesbroughH3–1Cole 68', Irwin 82' (pen.), Giggs 90'52,23224 January 1999Fourth RoundLiverpoolH2–1Yorke 88', Solskjær 90'54,59114 February 1999Fifth RoundFulhamH1–0Cole 26'54,7987 March 1999Sixth RoundChelseaH0–054,58710 March 1999Sixth Round replayChelseaA2–0Yorke (2) 4', 59'33,07511 April 1999Semi-finalArsenalN0–0 39,21714 April 1999Semi-final replayArsenalN2–1 Beckham 17', Giggs 109'30,22322 May 1999FinalNewcastle UnitedN2–0Sheringham 11', Scholes 52'79,101 Colours: Green = Manchester United win; Yellow = draw; Red = opponents win. Football League Cup 1998–99 Football League Cup thumb|250px|White Hart Lane, the stadium of the quarter-final match against Tottenham Hotspur. The Football League Cup is a cup knockout competition open to clubs in the Premier League and the Football League; clubs participating in European competitions are given a bye to the Third Round, while other Premier League clubs are given a bye to the Second Round. In previous seasons, Ferguson used the League Cup as an opportunity to provide first-team experience to their younger players and reserves, while resting many of their first-team players.Taylor Daniel 29 December 2009 Sir Alex Ferguson hailed as the new Tinkerman of football https://www.theguardian.com/football/2009/dec/29/alex-ferguson-manchester-united-squad-rotation live https://web.archive.org/web/20230128090925/https://www.theguardian.com/football/2009/dec/29/alex-ferguson-manchester-united-squad-rotation 28 January 2023 9 August 2025 The Guardian en-GB Ferguson has previously suggested reducing the number of fixtures in the League Cup.Haylett Trevor 12 August 1993 Football: Ferguson condemns the demands on youth: Manchester United's manager objects to treatment over his youth players and questions the validity of too many tournaments https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football-ferguson-condemns-the-demands-on-youth-manchester-united-s-manager-objects-to-treatment-over-his-youth-players-and-questions-the-validity-of-too-many-tournaments-1460912.html 9 August 2025 The Independent 9 August 2025 https://web.archive.org/web/20250809202156/https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football-ferguson-condemns-the-demands-on-youth-manchester-united-s-manager-objects-to-treatment-over-his-youth-players-and-questions-the-validity-of-too-many-tournaments-1460912.html live In the third round of the competition, Ferguson started the game with just one player from the starting players against Derby in the league.Ferguson Meek 2000 44: "United's opening line-up against Bury featured just one player who had started at the weekend against Derby[.]" United required extra time to defeat Bury, eventually winning 2–0 with goals from Erik Nevland and Ole Gunnar Solskjær.http://www.sportinglife.com/football/premiership/manu/reports/story_get.cgi?STORY_NAME=soccer/98/10/28/SOCCER_Man_Utd_Nightlead.html&TEAMHD=manu&DIV=prem&TEAM=MANCHESTER--UNITED&RH=Manchester--United&PREV_SEASON=1997&BID= https://web.archive.org/web/20111025171222/http://www.sportinglife.com/football/premiership/manu/reports/story_get.cgi?STORY_NAME=soccer%2F98%2F10%2F28%2FSOCCER_Man_Utd_Nightlead.html&TEAMHD=manu&DIV=prem&TEAM=MANCHESTER--UNITED&RH=Manchester--United&PREV_SEASON=1997&BID= dead 25 October 2011 Manchester United 2 Bury 0 (aet) 28 October 1998 13 May 2011 Sporting Life Press Association In the fourth round, two more goals from Solskjær gave United a 2–1 victory over Nottingham Forest, earning them a place in the quarter-finals for the first time since they reached the final in 1994.http://www.sportinglife.com/football/premiership/manu/reports/story_get.cgi?STORY_NAME=soccer/98/11/11/SOCCER_Man_Utd_Nightlead.html&TEAMHD=manu&DIV=prem&TEAM=MANCHESTER--UNITED&RH=Manchester--United&PREV_SEASON=1997&BID= https://web.archive.org/web/20111025180839/http://www.sportinglife.com/football/premiership/manu/reports/story_get.cgi?STORY_NAME=soccer%2F98%2F11%2F11%2FSOCCER_Man_Utd_Nightlead.html&TEAMHD=manu&DIV=prem&TEAM=MANCHESTER--UNITED&RH=Manchester--United&PREV_SEASON=1997&BID= dead 25 October 2011 Manchester United 2 Nottingham Forest 1 11 November 1998 13 May 2011 Anderson David Sporting Life Press Association United were beaten in the quarter-finals by eventual winners Tottenham Hotspur: two goals from Chris Armstrong and one from David Ginola gave Spurs a 3–1 victory, despite Ferguson starting Ryan Giggs and Teddy Sheringham following their injuries, with ex-Spurs striker Sheringham scoring the consolation for United on his return to White Hart Lane.2 December 1998 Ginola magic seals Spurs win https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/sport/football/226531.stm 9 August 2025 BBC News 11 June 2025 https://web.archive.org/web/20250611233904/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/sport/football/226531.stm live DateRoundOpponentsH / AResultF–AScorersAttendance28 October 1998Third RoundBuryH2–0 Solskjær 106', Nevland 115'52,49511 November 1998Fourth RoundNottingham ForestH2–1Solskjær (2) 57', 60'37,3372 December 1998Fifth RoundTottenham HotspurA1–3Sheringham 70'35,702 Colours: Green = Manchester United win; Yellow = draw; Red = opponents win. UEFA Champions League 1998–99 UEFA Champions League _manutde9700 _manutde9700 E20E0E E20E0E E20E0E FFFFFF FFFFFF The club used a different home kit for European matches. The UEFA Champions League is the primary continental tournament organised by UEFA. It consists of two qualifying rounds, a group stage, and a knockout round. This was the second season that runners-up of a national league could enter the competition; prior to the 1997–98 season, only champions from the previous year's national leagues could enter the competition.Berlin Peter 19 September 1997 European Soccer: Fans Aren't Cheering Champions League (Published 1997) https://www.nytimes.com/1997/09/19/sports/IHT-european-soccer-fans-arent-cheering-champions-league.html registration live https://web.archive.org/web/20250531005647/https://www.nytimes.com/1997/09/19/sports/IHT-european-soccer-fans-arent-cheering-champions-league.html 31 May 2025 10 August 2025 The New York Times en However, clubs qualifying this way (including Manchester United) must enter the competition in the second qualifying round. Second qualifying round 1998–99 UEFA Champions League qualifying rounds#Second qualifying round Manchester United began their UEFA Champions League campaign as a seeded team against Polish champions ŁKS Łódź in the second qualifying round. The loser of the two-legged round was transferred to the first round of the UEFA Cup. Goals from Giggs and Cole in the home leg gave them a 2–0 win,https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football-roving-role-is-fine-by-giggs-1171585.html https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220501/https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football-roving-role-is-fine-by-giggs-1171585.html 1 May 2022 subscription live Roving role is fine by Giggs The Independent Pierson Mark 14 August 1998 13 May 2011 London and a goalless second leg ensured their qualification for the group stage.https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football-united-poles-apart-from-lodz-1174436.html https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220501/https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football-united-poles-apart-from-lodz-1174436.html 1 May 2022 subscription live United poles apart from Lodz The Independent Hodgson Guy 27 August 1998 13 May 2011 London DateRoundOpponentsH / AResultF–AScorersAttendance12 August 1998Second qualifying roundFirst legŁKS ŁódźH2–0Giggs 16', Cole 81'50,90626 August 1998Second qualifying roundSecond legŁKS ŁódźA0–08,000 Colours: Green = Manchester United win; Yellow = draw; Red = opponents win. Group stage 1998–99 UEFA Champions League group stage The group stage of the Champions League consists of six groups of four teams. Teams play against each other twice in each group, once at home and once away. At the end of the group stage, the winners of each group, as well as the two best runners-up, advanced to the knockout phase. United were drawn in Group D, labelled the competition's "group of death", along with Spanish champions Barcelona, German champions Bayern Munich, and Danish champions Brøndby.https://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sport/football/159716.stm United drawn against Euro giants 29 August 1998 16 May 2011 BBC News British Broadcasting Corporation 29 October 2021 https://web.archive.org/web/20211029223531/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/sport/football/159716.stm live Both games against Barcelona ended in draws. Despite Giggs, Scholes, and Beckham putting the team into a 3–2 lead at Old Trafford, the visitors were awarded a late penalty after Butt was sent off for handling the ball. Luis Enrique converted the ball into the net to leave both teams with a point each.http://www.sportinglife.com/football/premiership/manu/reports/story_get.cgi?STORY_NAME=soccer/98/09/16/SOCCER_Man_Utd_Nightlead.html&TEAMHD=manu&DIV=prem&TEAM=MANCHESTER--UNITED&RH=Manchester--United&PREV_SEASON=1997&BID= https://web.archive.org/web/20111025185436/http://www.sportinglife.com/football/premiership/manu/reports/story_get.cgi?STORY_NAME=soccer%2F98%2F09%2F16%2FSOCCER_Man_Utd_Nightlead.html&TEAMHD=manu&DIV=prem&TEAM=MANCHESTER--UNITED&RH=Manchester--United&PREV_SEASON=1997&BID= dead 25 October 2011 Manchester United 3 Barcelona 3 16 September 1998 17 May 2011 Anderson David Sporting Life Press Association In the return game on 25 November at the Camp Nou, a fixture that Barcelona needed to win to avoid elimination, Dwight Yorke's goals put United ahead 3–2, but Rivaldo equalized and nearly scored again, but his effort hit the crossbar.http://www.sportinglife.com/football/premiership/manu/reports/story_get.cgi?STORY_NAME=soccer/98/11/25/SOCCER_Man_United_Nightlead.html&TEAMHD=manu&DIV=prem&TEAM=MANCHESTER--UNITED&RH=Manchester--United&PREV_SEASON=1997&BID= https://web.archive.org/web/20111025182355/http://www.sportinglife.com/football/premiership/manu/reports/story_get.cgi?STORY_NAME=soccer%2F98%2F11%2F25%2FSOCCER_Man_United_Nightlead.html&TEAMHD=manu&DIV=prem&TEAM=MANCHESTER--UNITED&RH=Manchester--United&PREV_SEASON=1997&BID= dead 25 October 2011 Barcelona 3 Manchester United 3 25 November 1998 17 May 2011 Anderson David Sporting Life Press Association United were denied victory by Bayern Munich twice, home and away. In Munich, the home side equalised with two minutes to go wi United leading 2–1, after Schmeichel went for and missed Bixente Lizarazu's throw-in, allowing Giovane Élber to tap in from a few yards out and score his second of the match.http://www.sportinglife.com/football/premiership/manu/reports/story_get.cgi?STORY_NAME=soccer/98/09/30/SOCCER_Man_Utd_Nightlead.html&TEAMHD=manu&DIV=prem&TEAM=MANCHESTER--UNITED&RH=Manchester--United&PREV_SEASON=1997&BID= https://web.archive.org/web/20111025190442/http://www.sportinglife.com/football/premiership/manu/reports/story_get.cgi?STORY_NAME=soccer%2F98%2F09%2F30%2FSOCCER_Man_Utd_Nightlead.html&TEAMHD=manu&DIV=prem&TEAM=MANCHESTER--UNITED&RH=Manchester--United&PREV_SEASON=1997&BID= dead 25 October 2011 Bayern Munich 2 Manchester United 2 30 September 1998 17 May 2011 Anderson David Sporting Life Press Association The return leg ended in a stalemate; Roy Keane scored just before half-time via a low header before Hasan Salihamidžić equalised for the visitors. United inflicted two heavy defeats on Brøndby, beating them 6–2 in Copenhagenhttp://www.sportinglife.com/football/premiership/manu/reports/story_get.cgi?STORY_NAME=soccer/98/10/21/SOCCER_Man_Utd_Nightlead.html&TEAMHD=manu&DIV=prem&TEAM=MANCHESTER--UNITED&RH=Manchester--United&PREV_SEASON=1997&BID= https://web.archive.org/web/20111025180359/http://www.sportinglife.com/football/premiership/manu/reports/story_get.cgi?STORY_NAME=soccer%2F98%2F10%2F21%2FSOCCER_Man_Utd_Nightlead.html&TEAMHD=manu&DIV=prem&TEAM=MANCHESTER--UNITED&RH=Manchester--United&PREV_SEASON=1997&BID= dead 25 October 2011 Brondby 2 Manchester United 6 21 October 1998 17 May 2011 Anderson David Sporting Life Press Association and 5–0 at Old Trafford.http://www.sportinglife.com/football/premiership/manu/reports/story_get.cgi?STORY_NAME=soccer/98/11/04/SOCCER_Man_Utd_Nightlead.html&TEAMHD=manu&DIV=prem&TEAM=MANCHESTER--UNITED&RH=Manchester--United&PREV_SEASON=1997&BID= https://web.archive.org/web/20111025190957/http://www.sportinglife.com/football/premiership/manu/reports/story_get.cgi?STORY_NAME=soccer%2F98%2F11%2F04%2FSOCCER_Man_Utd_Nightlead.html&TEAMHD=manu&DIV=prem&TEAM=MANCHESTER--UNITED&RH=Manchester--United&PREV_SEASON=1997&BID= dead 25 October 2011 Manchester United 5 Brondby 0 4 November 1998 17 May 2011 Anderson David Sporting Life Press Association Results in the other groups meant United advance to the quarter-finals as runners-up of group D, joining winners Bayern Munich. DateOpponentsH / AResultF–AScorersAttendanceGroup position16 September 1998BarcelonaH3–3Giggs 17', Scholes 25', Beckham 64'53,6013rd30 September 1998Bayern MunichA2–2Yorke 30', Scholes 49'53,0003rd21 October 1998BrøndbyA6–2Giggs (2) 2', 21', Cole 28', Keane 55', Yorke 60', Solskjær 62'40,3151st4 November 1998BrøndbyH5–0Beckham 7', Cole 13', P. Neville 16', Yorke 28', Scholes 62'53,2501st25 November 1998BarcelonaA3–3Yorke (2) 25', 68', Cole 53'67,6482nd9 December 1998Bayern MunichH1–1Keane 43'54,4342nd Colours: Green = Manchester United win; Yellow = draw; Red = opponents win. Group D n MUN Ranking of second-placed teams 2nd place n GrD Knockout phase 1998–99 UEFA Champions League knockout stage The knockout phase consists of the quarter-finals, the semi-finals, and the final. Each round (except for the final) is played over two legs, with one match at home and the other away. The final is a single match played on a neutral venue, which, for 1999, was Camp Nou in Barcelona, Spain.Roberts Mike 24 March 2019 1999: Man United's miracle at Camp Nou https://www.fcbarcelona.com/en/news/1112409/1999-man-uniteds-miracle-at-camp-nou live https://web.archive.org/web/20241223112930/https://www.fcbarcelona.com/en/news/1112409/1999-man-uniteds-miracle-at-camp-nou 23 December 2024 10 August 2025 FC Barcelona en Manchester United played two Italian sides in the knockout phase: Internazionale quarter-finals and Juventus in the semi-finals; United had never won on an Italian pitch before the season.Carney Sam 17 March 2021 Six times United had to score away https://www.manutd.com/en/news/detail/six-times-man-utd-went-through-after-drawing-a-european-home-first-leg live https://web.archive.org/web/20250418004955/https://www.manutd.com/en/news/detail/six-times-man-utd-went-through-after-drawing-a-european-home-first-leg 18 April 2025 7 August 2025 Manchester United en [Manchester United had] never won on Italian soil[.] In the quarter-finals, Beckham faced Diego Simeone for the first time since the 1998 World Cup. In the first leg at Old Trafford, United beat Inter 2–0 with two almost identical goals from Yorke, both from crosses by Beckham; Simeone's second-half goal was disallowed for pushing.http://www.sportinglife.com/football/premiership/manu/reports/story_get.cgi?STORY_NAME=soccer/99/03/03/SOCCER_Man_Utd_Nightlead.html&TEAMHD=manu&DIV=prem&TEAM=MANCHESTER--UNITED&RH=Manchester--United&PREV_SEASON=1997&BID= https://web.archive.org/web/20111025183659/http://www.sportinglife.com/football/premiership/manu/reports/story_get.cgi?STORY_NAME=soccer%2F99%2F03%2F03%2FSOCCER_Man_Utd_Nightlead.html&TEAMHD=manu&DIV=prem&TEAM=MANCHESTER--UNITED&RH=Manchester--United&PREV_SEASON=1997&BID= dead 25 October 2011 Man Utd 2 Inter Milan 0 3 March 1999 17 May 2011 Malley Frank Sporting Life Press Association At the San Siro, substitute Scholes scored a late away goal to level the game at 1–1, following a Nicola Ventola goal, as United advanced 3–1 on aggregate.http://www.sportinglife.com/football/premiership/manu/reports/story_get.cgi?STORY_NAME=soccer/99/03/17/SOCCER_Man_Utd_Nightlead.html&TEAMHD=manu&DIV=prem&TEAM=MANCHESTER--UNITED&RH=Manchester--United&PREV_SEASON=1997&BID= https://web.archive.org/web/20111025190917/http://www.sportinglife.com/football/premiership/manu/reports/story_get.cgi?STORY_NAME=soccer%2F99%2F03%2F17%2FSOCCER_Man_Utd_Nightlead.html&TEAMHD=manu&DIV=prem&TEAM=MANCHESTER--UNITED&RH=Manchester--United&PREV_SEASON=1997&BID= dead 25 October 2011 Inter Milan 1 Manchester United 1 (Agg: 1–3) 17 March 1999 17 May 2011 Malley Frank Sporting Life Press Association In the first leg of the semi-finals, Juventus's captain, Antonio Conte, met Edgar Davids' pass to give them an away goal. United equalised in injury-time through Giggs, who converted a Beckham cross; a Teddy Sheringham goal a few minutes earlier had been disallowed.http://www.sportinglife.com/football/premiership/manu/reports/story_get.cgi?STORY_NAME=soccer/99/04/07/SOCCER_Man_Utd_Nightlead.html&TEAMHD=manu&DIV=prem&TEAM=MANCHESTER--UNITED&RH=Manchester--United&PREV_SEASON=1997&BID= https://web.archive.org/web/20111025191744/http://www.sportinglife.com/football/premiership/manu/reports/story_get.cgi?STORY_NAME=soccer%2F99%2F04%2F07%2FSOCCER_Man_Utd_Nightlead.html&TEAMHD=manu&DIV=prem&TEAM=MANCHESTER--UNITED&RH=Manchester--United&PREV_SEASON=1997&BID= dead 25 October 2011 Manchester United 1 Juventus 1 7 April 1999 17 May 2011 Malley Frank Sporting Life Press Association The draw meant that United needed to score at least one goal in Italy to qualify for the final.Sinnott John 25 February 2003 Man Utd's Italian conquests https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/champions_league/2753957.stm live https://web.archive.org/web/20220815054652/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/champions_league/2753957.stm 15 August 2022 7 August 2025 BBC Sport en-GB The first-leg of the semi-final at Old Trafford had ended 1–1, meaning United needed to score at least one goal if they were to qualify for the final in Barcelona. In the second leg at the Stadio delle Alpi, Filippo Inzaghi scored twice in the first 11 minutes to give Juve a 3–1 aggregate lead. United captain Roy Keane, who was shown a yellow card, preventing him from playing the final, headed in a Beckham cross. Dwight Yorke added a second to level the match just before the break. In the second half, Juventus had a goal by Inzaghi ruled out because of offside. Scholes received a yellow card and missed the final.21 April 1999 Juventus 2 - 3 Man United https://www.theguardian.com/football/1999/apr/21/newsstory.sport6 live https://web.archive.org/web/20250725001009/https://www.theguardian.com/football/1999/apr/21/newsstory.sport6 25 July 2025 10 August 2025 The Guardian en-GB Five minutes before full time, Cole put United ahead for the first time in the match and the tie: Yorke was brought down by the Juve keeper Angelo Peruzzi in the area as he went round him, but the referee played the advantage, and Cole scored from an acute angle. United held to win 3–2 in the second leg and 4–3 on aggregate, qualifying for a spot in the final.http://www.sportinglife.com/football/premiership/manu/reports/story_get.cgi?STORY_NAME=soccer/99/04/21/SOCCER_Man_Utd_Nightlead.html&TEAMHD=manu&DIV=prem&TEAM=MANCHESTER--UNITED&RH=Manchester--United&PREV_SEASON=1997&BID= https://web.archive.org/web/20111025190809/http://www.sportinglife.com/football/premiership/manu/reports/story_get.cgi?STORY_NAME=soccer%2F99%2F04%2F21%2FSOCCER_Man_Utd_Nightlead.html&TEAMHD=manu&DIV=prem&TEAM=MANCHESTER--UNITED&RH=Manchester--United&PREV_SEASON=1997&BID= dead 25 October 2011 Juventus 2 Man Utd 3 (agg: 3–4) 21 April 1999 17 May 2011 Malley Frank Sporting Life Final 1999 UEFA Champions League final thumb|upright|The Treble trophies: the Premier League, Champions League, and FA Cup (left to right)|alt=Three silver trophies on blue plinths in a glass display case. Manchester United were without first-choice central midfielders Keane and Scholes, as both were suspended after receiving a second yellow card in the competition. Ferguson reorganised the team, with Blomqvist and Butt replacing Keane and Scholes, Beckham moving from right-wing to centre-midfield, and Giggs moving from the left to the right wing; United lined up in their normal 4–4–2 formation. This was the final match for Peter Schmeichel, who captained the team.https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/sport/football/353842.stm United crowned kings of Europe 26 May 1999 1 October 2011 BBC News British Broadcasting Corporation 6 December 2008 https://web.archive.org/web/20081206134427/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sport/football/353842.stm live Their opponent, Bayern Munich, was also contesting for the Treble, having won the Bundesliga earlier and reached the final of Germany's primary cup competition, the DFB-Pokal.18 March 2025 Manchester United 3-2 Juventus: Retro report of 1999 Champions League semi-final classic https://www.tntsports.co.uk/football/champions-league-98-99/1998-1999/manchester-united-3-2-juventus-retro-report-of-1999-champions-league-semi-final-classic_sto7731480/story.shtml 2025-08-07 TNT Sports Bayern Munich, chasing a treble of their own, await United in the May 26 final at Barcelona's Nou Camp. 15 August 2025 https://web.archive.org/web/20250815161603/https://www.tntsports.co.uk/football/champions-league-98-99/1998-1999/manchester-united-3-2-juventus-retro-report-of-1999-champions-league-semi-final-classic_sto7731480/story.shtml live Fraser Peter 28 January 2014 Treble of 1999 https://www.skysports.com/football/news/11946/8620802/treble-of-1999 live https://web.archive.org/web/20241213134606/https://www.skysports.com/football/news/11946/8620802/treble-of-1999 13 December 2024 10 August 2025 Sky Sports en-GB Mario Basler's free kick after six minutes went to the bottom corner of the net, opening the scoring for Bayern Munich. Bayern then had the chance to extend their lead with Mehmet Scholl hitting the post and Carsten Jancker the crossbar, forcing Peter Schmeichel to make numerous saves. In reaction to going a goal down, Ferguson substituted in Sheringham for Blomqvist and Solskjær for Cole. As the game went to injury time, referee Pierluigi Collina indicated that three minutes would be played. In almost the last attack of the game, United won a corner, which Beckham took, and goalkeeper Schmeichel went up front for. The ball was partially cleared by the Bayern defence before being played back to Giggs, who sent a low volley into the path of Sheringham, whose scuffed shot squeezed low inside the post. Almost immediately after the equaliser, United won another corner, taken by Beckham again. He landed the ball on the head of Sheringham, who nodded it to Solskjær; Solskjær rifled it into the top corner of the goal. Oliver Kahn, the Bayern goalkeeper, was motionless on the line. Bayern barely had time to restart the game, which referee Collina brought to a close just a few seconds later.Biggs Matt 26 May 1999 Bayern Munich 1 - 2 Manchester United https://www.theguardian.com/football/1999/may/26/newsstory.sport9 live https://web.archive.org/web/20221129064302/https://www.theguardian.com/football/1999/may/26/newsstory.sport9 29 November 2022 10 August 2025 The Guardian en-GB 20% right I can't believe it. I can't believe it. Football, bloody hell. –Alex Ferguson, speaking moments after winning the Champions LeagueThe things they say: Sir Alex Ferguson https://www.fifa.com/worldfootball/news/newsid=1426152.html https://web.archive.org/web/20110502214253/http://www.fifa.com/worldfootball/news/newsid=1426152.html dead 2 May 2011 FIFA.com Fédération Internationale de Football Association 29 April 2011 1 October 2011 Schmeichel and Ferguson were presented with the trophy by UEFA president Lennart Johansson. Despite their suspensions, both Keane and Scholes received winners' medals on the rostrum. Keane claims that 2006 y he has not looked at the medal, feeling that his absence had tainted the accomplishment to the extent that he "didn't deserve the medal".https://www.manchesterunited-mad.co.uk/news/tmnw/keane_wanted_closure_288254/index.shtml Manchester United FC News – United Mad KEANE WANTED CLOSURE (Roy Keane interview) 16 July 2006 18 May 2011 31 May 2012 https://web.archive.org/web/20120531074728/http://www.manchesterunited-mad.co.uk/news/tmnw/keane_wanted_closure_288254/index.shtml live Substituted Bayern legend Lothar Matthäus removed his runner-up medal as soon as he received it, and later remarked that United were "lucky" to win the final.https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/sport/football/353876.stm BBC News British Broadcasting Corporation Matthaus: United were lucky 26 May 1999 14 May 2011 26 May 2004 https://web.archive.org/web/20040526071440/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sport/football/353876.stm live Manchester United became the first English team to win the Champions League since it was rebranded in 1992, and the first to win the European Cup overall since Liverpool beat Roma in 1984. Coincidentally, the final was played on what would have been Sir Matt Busby's 90th birthday; he had died five years earlier. Bayern went on to lose the DFB-Pokal final on penalties to Werder Bremen. DateRoundOpponentsH / AResultF–AScorersAttendance3 March 1999Quarter-finalFirst legInternazionaleH2–0Yorke (2) 6', 45'54,43017 March 1999Quarter-finalSecond legInternazionaleA1–1Scholes 88'79,5287 April 1999Semi-finalFirst legJuventusH1–1Giggs 90+2'54,48721 April 1999Semi-finalSecond legJuventusA3–2Keane 24', Yorke 34', Cole 84'60,80626 May 1999FinalBayern MunichN2–1Sheringham 90+1', Solskjær 90+3'91,000 Colours: Green = Manchester United win; Yellow = draw; Red = opponents win. Aftermath and legacy thumb|Manchester United celebrating their Treble win in Deansgate in May 1999. Less than 24 hours after winning the Champions League in Barcelona, a crowd of 500,000 people turned up on the streets of Manchester to greet the United players, who paraded through the city with their trophies in an open-top bus.https://news.bbc.co.uk/cbbcnews/hi/newsid_7410000/newsid_7411000/7411075.stm BBC News (CBBC) British Broadcasting Corporation No victory parade for Cup winners 20 May 2008 14 May 2011 22 December 2015 https://web.archive.org/web/20151222174933/http://news.bbc.co.uk/cbbcnews/hi/newsid_7410000/newsid_7411000/7411075.stm live David Beckham was named as the winner of the UEFA Club Footballer of the Year, as well as UEFA's Best Midfielder award.UEFA Club Football Awards https://www.uefa.com/news-media/news/0250-0c50f41f3c36-73a920d50345-1000--uefa-club-football-awards/ UEFA Union of European Football Associations 1 May 2011 19 May 2021 4 August 2024 https://web.archive.org/web/20240804183307/https://www.uefa.com/news-media/news/0250-0c50f41f3c36-73a920d50345-1000--uefa-club-football-awards/ live Beckham was also voted as the runner-up for the 1999 Ballon d'Or and the 1999 FIFA World Player of the Year awards.European Footballer of the Year ("Ballon d'Or") 1999 https://www.rsssf.org/miscellaneous/europa-poy99.html RSSSF.com Rec.Sport.Soccer Statistics Foundation 26 March 2005 19 May 2021 14 March 2013 https://web.archive.org/web/20130314042310/http://rsssf.com/miscellaneous/europa-poy99.html live FIFA Awards - World Player of the Year - Top 10 https://www.rsssf.org/miscellaneous/fifa-awards.html RSSSF Rec.Sport.Soccer Statistics Foundation 28 January 2016 19 May 2021 12 January 2016 https://web.archive.org/web/20160112042845/http://www.rsssf.com/miscellaneous/fifa-awards.html live Along with the Busby Babes, the 1999 Treble-winning team is regarded by supporters as the benchmark of Manchester United teams.https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/special_report/1999/05/99/uniteds_euro_showdown/341944.stm BBC News British Broadcasting Corporation The architects of Old Trafford 27 May 1999 16 May 2011 15 June 2004 https://web.archive.org/web/20040615100759/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/special_report/1999/05/99/uniteds_euro_showdown/341944.stm live In 2007, The Daily Telegraph, in association with World Soccer Magazine, published a list of the 20 greatest football teams of all time: United were ranked in last position, behind Liverpool's double winners of 1977.https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/2317066/The-greatest-teams-of-all-time.html The Telegraph The greatest teams of all time 4 July 2007 16 May 2011 London 25 September 2015 https://web.archive.org/web/20150925213708/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/2317066/The-greatest-teams-of-all-time.html live The extra-time winner scored by Ryan Giggs in the FA Cup semi-final replay against Arsenal topped a poll for the best goal in the competition,http://www.icons.org.uk/theicons/collection/fa-cup/features/greatest-fa-cup-goals ICONS The Greatest FA Cup Goals? 17 May 2011 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20090822232648/http://www.icons.org.uk/theicons/collection/fa-cup/features/greatest-fa-cup-goals 22 August 2009 and Channel 4 viewers rated the team's comeback in the Champions League final at number four on the list of 100 Greatest Sporting Moments.http://www.channel4.com/entertainment/tv/microsites/G/greatest_sporting/results.html Channel 4 100 Greatest Sporting Moments 17 May 2011 https://web.archive.org/web/20110513161937/http://www.channel4.com/entertainment/tv/microsites/G/greatest_sporting/results.html 13 May 2011 live Winning the Treble is considered the greatest achievement in the career of manager Alex Ferguson, although he has disagreed with that assessment.https://www.theguardian.com/football/2002/sep/29/sport.comment1?INTCMP=SRCH Wenger's domestic supremacy Wilson Paul 29 September 2002 My greatest challenge was knocking Liverpool right off their fucking perch, And you can print that. 13 May 2011 The Observer London In recognition of the team's success, Ferguson was made a Knight Bachelor and also received the Freedom of his home city of Glasgow.https://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sport/football/366844.stm Sir Alex: The working class hero 14 June 1999 13 May 2011 BBC News British Broadcasting Corporation 19 April 2004 https://web.archive.org/web/20040419052736/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sport/football/366844.stm livehttp://www.sunnygovan.com/GF/F-L/SirAlexFerguson.html Sir Alex Ferguson 13 May 2011 Sunny Govan dead https://web.archive.org/web/20110816155150/http://www.sunnygovan.com/GF/F-L/SirAlexFerguson.html 16 August 2011 As champions of Europe, Manchester United played against the 1998–99 UEFA Cup Winners' Cup winners Lazio in the 1999 UEFA Super Cup, but lost the match 1–0. Manchester United were also invited to play in the Intercontinental Cup against the winners of the 1999 Copa Libertadores, Brazilian side Palmeiras, in Tokyo. Roy Keane scored the winner, making the team the first and last British side to win the trophy before it was abolished in 2004.https://www.theguardian.com/football/1999/dec/01/newsstory.sport?INTCMP=SRCH Zola finds drawing power The Guardian Watts Jonathan 1 December 1999 1 October 2011 London https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/3504291.stm BBC Sport Fifa unveils new club event 19 February 2004 1 October 2011 2 April 2004 https://web.archive.org/web/20040402152045/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/3504291.stm live Having been led to believe it would help The Football Association with their bid to host the 2006 FIFA World Cup, United controversially withdrew from the 1999–2000 FA Cup, the first time the holders had done so,https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/premier-league/united-underline-cup-withdrawal-742549.html https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220501/https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/premier-league/united-underline-cup-withdrawal-742549.html 1 May 2022 subscription United underline Cup withdrawal The Independent Staniforth Tommy 29 October 1999 16 May 2011 London in order to play in the inaugural Club World Championship. They did not progress past the group stage, and Ferguson later regretted how they handled the situation.https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/teams/manchester-united/6713077/Sir-Alex-Ferguson-Manchester-Uniteds-1999-FA-Cup-withdrawal-was-a-mistake.html The Telegraph Sir Alex Ferguson: Manchester United's 1999 FA Cup withdrawal was a mistake 3 December 2009 16 May 2011 London 12 July 2012 https://web.archive.org/web/20120712002823/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/teams/manchester-united/6713077/Sir-Alex-Ferguson-Manchester-Uniteds-1999-FA-Cup-withdrawal-was-a-mistake.html live United won the 1999–2000 Premier League with 91 points, ahead of runners-up Arsenal by 18 points,Wilson Jonathan 27 November 2014 Chelsea out to rewrite the record books in pursuit of Premier League title https://www.theguardian.com/football/blog/2014/nov/27/chelsea-premier-league-records-jose-mourinho live https://web.archive.org/web/20250117233118/https://www.theguardian.com/football/blog/2014/nov/27/chelsea-premier-league-records-jose-mourinho 17 January 2025 10 August 2025 The Guardian en-GB Manchester United won the league with 91 points in 1999-2000 and Arsenal came second with 73. but were beaten by Real Madrid in the quarter-finals of the 1999–2000 Champions League.19 April 2000 Man Utd wrecked by Real https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/sport/football/champions_league/719839.stm live https://web.archive.org/web/20250120044337/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/sport/football/champions_league/719839.stm 20 January 2025 10 August 2025 BBC News On 26 May 2019, Manchester United and Bayern Munich legends sides played each other in a charity match at Old Trafford to commemorate the 20th anniversary of United completing the Treble. Manchester United won the match 5–0, with goals from Solskjær, Yorke, Butt and Beckham, as well as Louis Saha, who played for the club from 2004 to 2008.Adam Marshall Treble Reunion: United 5 Bayern Munich 0 https://www.manutd.com/en/news/detail/match-report-man-utd-v-bayern-munich-treble-reunion-2019 ManUtd.com Manchester United 26 May 2019 12 March 2020 18 September 2020 https://web.archive.org/web/20200918181629/https://www.manutd.com/en/news/detail/match-report-man-utd-v-bayern-munich-treble-reunion-2019 live Squad statistics Manchester United used 29 players in the season, of which 23 players were used in the league.Worville Tom 20 March 2020 Rebooted: Manchester United's 1998-99 squad under the microscope https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/1689790/2020/03/20/rebooted-manchester-uniteds-1998-99-squad-under-the-microscope/ subscription live https://web.archive.org/web/20250810210350/https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/1689790/2020/03/20/rebooted-manchester-uniteds-1998-99-squad-under-the-microscope/ 10 August 2025 10 August 2025 The Athletic en Key Pos = Playing position Apps = Appearances GK = Goalkeeper DF = Defender MF = Midfielder FW = Forward Numbers in parentheses denote appearances as substitute. No.Pos.NameLeagueFA CupLeague CupChampions LeagueCharity ShieldTotalAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals1GKDEN Peter Schmeichel3408000130105602DFENG Gary Neville3417000120105413DFIRL Denis Irwin26(3)261001201045(3)34DFENG David May4(2)0102000007(2)05DFNOR Ronny Johnsen19(3)33(2)0106(2)01030(7)36DFNED Jaap Stam3016(1)0001301050(1)17MFENG David Beckham33(1)6710(1)01221053(2)98MFENG Nicky Butt22(9)250204(4)01034(13)29FWENG Andy Cole26(6)176(1)2001051043(7)2410FWENG Teddy Sheringham7(10)21(3)1112(2)10(1)011(16)511MFWAL Ryan Giggs20(4)35(1)210951036(5)1012DFENG Phil Neville19(9)04(3)0204(2)10(1)029(15)113DFENG John Curtis1(3)0003000004(3)014MFNED Jordi Cruyff0(5)200200(3)00(1)02(9)215MFSWE Jesper Blomqvist20(5)13(2)00(1)06(1)00029(9)116MFIRL Roy Keane (c)33(2)270001231053(2)517GKNED Raimond van der Gouw4(1)0003000007(1)018MFENG Paul Scholes24(7)63(3)10(1)010(2)41038(13)1119FWTRI Dwight Yorke32185(3)3001180048(3)2920FWNOR Ole Gunnar Solskjær9(10)124(4)1331(5)20(1)017(20)1821DFNOR Henning Berg10(6)050303(1)00(1)021(8)022FWNOR Erik Nevland00000(1)100000(1)123DFENG Michael Clegg00003000003024DFENG Wes Brown11(3)0200(1)03(1)00016(5)026DFENG Chris Casper00000000000028MFNIR Philip Mulryne00002000002029FWSCO Alex Notman00000(1)000000(1)030DFENG Ronnie Wallwork00000(1)000000(1)031GKENG Nick Culkin00000000000033MFENG Mark Wilson0000200(1)0002(1)034MFENG Jonathan Greening0(3)00(1)03000003(4)038DFENG Danny Higginbotham000000000000 Own goal200002 Source: Source for appearances and goals in the Premier League, FA Cup, League Cup, and Champions League:.Murphy Endlar 2010 331 Source for appearances and goals in the Charity Shield:. Transfers Manchester United's first departure of the 1998–99 season was Ben Thornley, who joined Huddersfield Town for £175,000 on 3 July 1998.http://www.transferleague.co.uk/premiership-transfers/manchester-united-transfers.html Manchester United Transfers 4 October 2011 Transfer League 14 January 2012 https://web.archive.org/web/20120114063901/http://www.transferleague.co.uk/premiership-transfers/manchester-united-transfers.html live A day later, Leon Mills signed for Wigan Athletic for an undisclosed fee, and Adam Sadler was released. Two of the club's longest-serving players, Brian McClair and Gary Pallister, also left. McClair had been at United since 1987 and opted for a return to Motherwellhttps://mg.co.za/article/1998-08-21-englands-foreign-legions England's foreign legions 21 August 1998 16 May 2011 Mail & Guardian Online 2 April 2015 https://web.archive.org/web/20150402093004/http://mg.co.za/article/1998-08-21-englands-foreign-legions live in the Scottish Premier League; he had played at Fir Park in the early 1980s. Pallister agreed to return to Middlesbrough in a £2.5 million deal, nine years after he had left them for a £2.3 million transfer to Old Trafford. On 4 November 1998, Chris Casper signed for Reading for a fee of £300,000.31 March 2013 Player in reputed £1m settlement http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-news/player-in-reputed-1m-settlement-2441046 7 August 2025 Wales Online en Mr Casper [...] moved to Reading from Manchester United for £300,000[.] 7 August 2025 https://web.archive.org/web/20250807155847/https://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-news/player-in-reputed-1m-settlement-2441046 live Addressing the loss of Pallister, Ferguson signed Jaap Stam from PSV Eindhoven, becoming the world's most expensive defender in a £10 million deal.http://www.independent.ie/sport/stam-the-man-as-reds-fork-out-record-pound10m-450000.html Stam the man as Reds fork out record £10m Irish Independent 27 April 1998 16 May 2011 Dublin Swedish winger Jesper Blomqvist soon followed, completing a £4.4 million transfer in Julyhttps://news.google.com/newspapers?id=z_VOAAAAIBAJ&pg=5849,205321&dq=jesper+blomqvist&hl=en Blomqvist Now A Red Devil New Straits Times 23 July 1998 16 May 2011 Kuala Lumpur 6 December 2022 https://web.archive.org/web/20221206010738/https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=z_VOAAAAIBAJ&pg=5849%2C205321&dq=jesper%20blomqvist&hl=en live before Dwight Yorke was controversially drafted in from Aston Villa to become the club's record signing.https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football-united-win-pounds-12m-battle-for-yorke-1173103.html https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220501/https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football-united-win-pounds-12m-battle-for-yorke-1173103.html 1 May 2022 subscription United win pounds 12m battle for Yorke Independent 21 August 1998 16 May 2011 London Dutch striker Patrick Kluivert, who impressed during the World Cup, was on the verge of finalising a £9 million move from Milan, only for talks to fall through.https://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/smgpubs/access/60220876.html?dids=60220876:60220876&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:FT&type=current&date=Aug+04%2C+1998&author=&pub=The+Herald&desc=United%27s+Kluivert+bid+falls+through&pqatl=google https://archive.today/20120712182529/http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/smgpubs/access/60220876.html?dids=60220876:60220876&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:FT&type=current&date=Aug+04,+1998&author=&pub=The+Herald&desc=United's+Kluivert+bid+falls+through&pqatl=google dead 12 July 2012 United's Kluivert bid falls through The Herald 4 August 1998 16 May 2011 Glasgow A £5.5 million offer for Ole Gunnar Solskjær from Tottenham Hotspur was accepted, but Solskjær himself turned down the transfer after a meeting with Alex Ferguson.Stuart Mathieson New targets for United's top Gunnar http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/new-targets-for-uniteds-top-gunnar-902921 Manchester Evening News MEN Media 12 November 2010 21 October 2015 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20151222144717/http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/new-targets-for-uniteds-top-gunnar-902921 22 December 2015 On 24 March, Michael Ryan signed for Wrexham for an undisclosed fee. A day later, Paul Gibson signed for Notts County, and on the same day, Philip Mulryne signed for Norwich City. On 16 April, Terry Cooke signed for United's cross-town rivals, Manchester City. On 30 June, United released Gerard Gaff and Jason Hickson, the same day that Peter Schmeichel signed for Sporting CP,https://www.theguardian.com/football/1999/jun/21/newsstory.sportinglisbon Schmeichel takes his leave in Sporting fashion The Guardian Brodkin Jon 21 June 1999 3 October 2011 London John Thorrington joined Bayer Leverkusen, and Lee Whiteley departed for Salford City.https://www.mufcinfo.com/manupag/transfers/transfers_pages/1990-1999_manchester_united_transfers.htm Manchester United Transfers (1990–1999) 10 October 2011 Mufcinfo.com 11 October 2011 https://web.archive.org/web/20111011090502/http://www.mufcinfo.com/manupag/transfers/transfers_pages/1990-1999_manchester_united_transfers.htm live United's only winter arrival was Bojan Djordjic, who signed for an undisclosed fee on 17 February. In DatePos.NameFromFee1 July 1998DFNED Jaap StamNED PSV Eindhoven£10.75m 8 July 1998DFENG Russell BestENG Notts CountyFree 21 July 1998MFSWE Jesper BlomqvistITA Parma£4.4m3 August 1998DFIRL John O'SheaIRL Waterford BohemiansUndisclosed20 August 1998FWTRI Dwight YorkeENG Aston Villa£12.6m17 February 1999MFSWE Bojan DjordjicSWE BrommapojkarnaUndisclosed 2 June 1999 GK AUS Mark Bosnich ENG Aston Villa FreeBosnich signs four-year United deal http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sport/football/fa_carling_premiership/358845.stm BBC News (British Broadcasting Corporation) 2 June 1999 29 September 2017 17 August 2017 https://web.archive.org/web/20170817001908/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sport/football/fa_carling_premiership/358845.stm live Out DatePos.NameToFee3 July 1998MFENG Ben ThornleyENG Huddersfield Town£175k4 July 1998MFENG Leon MillsENG Wigan AthleticUndisclosed4 July 1998GKENG Adam SadlerReleased9 July 1998DFENG Gary PallisterENG Middlesbrough£2.5mhttps://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sport/football/129636.stm 'Ambitious' Pallister back at 'Boro BBC Sport 9 July 1998 19 May 20218 October 1998DFENG Russell BestReleasedhttps://www.redstat.co.uk/?PlayerNo=413 live https://archive.today/20230312111346/https://www.redstat.co.uk/?PlayerNo=413 12 March 2023 Player: Russell Best redStat 12 March 20234 November 1998DFENG Chris CasperENG Reading£300k24 March 1999FWENG Michael RyanWAL WrexhamUndisclosed25 March 1999GKENG Paul GibsonENG Notts CountyUndisclosed25 March 1999MFNIR Philip MulryneENG Norwich City£500k16 April 1999MFENG Terry CookeENG Manchester City£1m30 June 1999DFENG Gerard GaffReleasedFWENG Jason HicksonReleasedGKDEN Peter SchmeichelPOR Sporting CPFreeBrodkin Jon https://www.theguardian.com/football/1999/jun/21/newsstory.sportinglisbon Schmeichel takes his leave in Sporting fashion The Guardian 21 June 1999 19 May 2021MFUSA John ThorringtonGER Bayer LeverkusenUndisclosedMFENG Lee WhiteleyENG Salford CityUndisclosed Loan out Date fromDate toPositionNameTo1 August 199810 March 1999FWENG Michael TwissENG Sheffield Unitedhttp://www.soccerbase.com/players/search.sd?search=Michael+Twiss&type=player Michael Twiss 7 October 2011 Soccerbase 24 September 2015 https://web.archive.org/web/20150924183718/http://www.soccerbase.com/players/search.sd?search=Michael+Twiss&type=player dead17 September 19981 November 1998DFENG Chris CasperENG Readinghttp://www.soccerbase.com/players/search.sd?search=Chris+Casper+&type=player Chris Casper 7 October 2011 Soccerbase 2 April 2015 https://web.archive.org/web/20150402114602/http://www.soccerbase.com/players/search.sd?search=Chris+Casper+&type=player dead30 October 19989 January 1999MFENG Terry CookeWAL Wrexhamhttp://www.soccerbase.com/players/search.sd?search=Terry+Cooke&type=player Terry Cooke 7 October 2011 Soccerbase 2 April 2015 https://web.archive.org/web/20150402101252/http://www.soccerbase.com/players/search.sd?search=Terry+Cooke&type=player deadhttp://www.manutd.com/news/feature.sps?id=500336&from=archive dead https://web.archive.org/web/20001025043912/http://www.manutd.com/news/feature.sps?id=500336&from=archive 25 October 2000 Cooke on loan to Wrexham Manchester United Football Club 30 October 1998 12 March 20231 November 199830 June 1999DFENG Danny HigginbothamBEL Royal Antwerphttp://www.soccerbase.com/players/search.sd?search=Danny+Higginbotham&type=player Danny Higginbotham 7 October 2011 Soccerbase 14 January 2016 https://web.archive.org/web/20160114113034/http://www.soccerbase.com/players/search.sd?search=Danny%20Higginbotham&type=player dead7 November 19987 December 1998GKENG Paul GibsonENG Hull Cityhttp://www.soccerbase.com/players/search.sd?search=Paul+Gibson&type=player Paul Gibson 7 October 2011 Soccerbase 2 April 2015 https://web.archive.org/web/20150402110030/http://www.soccerbase.com/players/search.sd?search=Paul+Gibson&type=player dead14 January 199914 April 1999MFENG Terry CookeENG Manchester City14 January 199931 May 1999FWNOR Erik NevlandSWE IFK Göteborghttp://www.soccerbase.com/players/search.sd?search=Erik+Nevland&type=player Erik Nevland 7 October 2011 Soccerbase 24 September 2015 https://web.archive.org/web/20150924183713/http://www.soccerbase.com/players/search.sd?search=Erik+Nevland&type=player dead15 January 199931 May 1999MFNED Jordi CruyffESP Celta Vigohttps://www.soccerbase.com/players/player.sd?player_id=9414 Jordi Cruyff 7 October 2011 Soccerbase 6 November 2012 https://web.archive.org/web/20121106170948/http://www.soccerbase.com/players/player.sd?player_id=9414 live27 January 19995 May 1999DFENG Ronnie WallworkBEL Royal Antwerphttp://www.soccerbase.com/players/search.sd?search=Ronnie+Wallwork&type=player Ronnie Wallwork 7 October 2011 Soccerbase 24 September 2015 https://web.archive.org/web/20150924183722/http://www.soccerbase.com/players/search.sd?search=Ronnie+Wallwork&type=player dead27 January 19995 May 1999FWENG Jamie WoodBEL Royal Antwerphttp://www.soccerbase.com/players/search.sd?search=Jamie+Wood&type=player Jamie Wood 7 October 2011 Soccerbase 14 January 2016 https://web.archive.org/web/20160114113034/http://www.soccerbase.com/players/search.sd?search=Jamie+Wood&type=player dead10 February 19991 May 1999FWSCO Alex NotmanSCO Aberdeenhttp://www.soccerbase.com/players/search.sd?search=Alex+Notman&type=player Alex Notman 7 October 2011 Soccerbase 14 January 2016 https://web.archive.org/web/20160114113034/http://www.soccerbase.com/players/search.sd?search=Alex+Notman&type=player dead Attempted takeover by BSkyB thumb|upright|After a meeting with Silvio Berlusconi in spring 1998, Rupert Murdoch (pictured) informed BSkyB of the need to buy a football club if the company wanted to hold on to their Premier League rights.https://www.independent.co.uk/news/football-bid-murdoch-utd-plot-hatched-in-italy-1197066.html https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220501/https://www.independent.co.uk/news/football-bid-murdoch-utd-plot-hatched-in-italy-1197066.html 1 May 2022 subscription 'Murdoch Utd' plot hatched in Italy Independent Thal Larsen Peter 10 September 1998 14 September 2011 London In September 1998, Manchester United were the target of a proposed takeover by BSkyB, a subsidiary of Rupert Murdoch's News Corporation.https://cdnedge.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/167564.stm United accepts £623m BSkyB bid 9 September 1998 13 May 2011 BBC News British Broadcasting Corporation 13 August 2011 https://web.archive.org/web/20110813074725/http://cdnedge.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/167564.stm live Negotiations between both sides had begun during the summer, but had stalled after disagreements over the asking price.https://www.independent.co.uk/news/man-utd-accepts-skys-pounds-625m-1196847.html https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220501/https://www.independent.co.uk/news/man-utd-accepts-skys-pounds-625m-1196847.html 1 May 2022 subscription live Man Utd accepts Sky's pounds 625m The Independent Thal Larsen Peter 9 September 1998 13 May 2011 London The satellite group's original bid of £575 million – initially thought to be their final offer – was deemed too low by two members of United's board (chairman Martin Edwards and Professor Sir Roland Smith), who pressed for a higher figure. On 9 September, Manchester United accepted a bid of £623.4 million; Figures announced during the season named Manchester United as the richest in world football, with a turnover of £88 million for 1996–97, 50% more than Barcelona in second place at £59 million.https://www.theguardian.com/business/1999/feb/03/7 United head world rich league The Guardian Finch Julia 3 February 1999 13 May 2011 London https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/special_report/1999/03/99/murdochs_big_match/270623.stm Reds in the black 3 February 1999 13 May 2011 BBC News British Broadcasting Corporation 18 June 2003 https://web.archive.org/web/20030618221649/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/special_report/1999/03/99/murdochs_big_match/270623.stm live Bowing down to public pressure, trade secretary Peter Mandelson referred the deal to the Monopolies and Mergers Commission in October 1998.https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/business/203824.stm Man Utd bid faces monopoly hurdle 29 October 1998 13 May 2011 BBC News British Broadcasting Corporation 14 January 2016 https://web.archive.org/web/20160114113034/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/business/203824.stm live The report, finalised in April 1999, found that BSkyB acted selfishly and blocked the broadcaster's bid.https://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/298072.stm BSkyB bid for Man Utd 'kicked out' 17 March 1999 13 May 2011 BBC News British Broadcasting CorporationMan Utd bid ruled offside https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/business/315439.stm BBC News British Broadcasting Corporation 9 April 1999 13 May 2011 26 December 2002 https://web.archive.org/web/20021226170213/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/the_company_file/315439.stm live A year earlier, Murdoch's Fox Entertainment Group, which held broadcasting rights to the regular season of Major League Baseball,Stewart Larry 6 November 1995 Fox Gets Baseball; NBC Is Part of Deal https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1995-11-06-sp-65431-story.html live https://web.archive.org/web/20250622002301/https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1995-11-06-sp-65431-story.html 22 June 2025 8 August 2025 Los Angeles Times en-US purchased the Los Angeles Dodgers for US$311 million.https://www.nytimes.com/2007/08/05/weekinreview/05dodgers.html O'Malley to Murdoch to Chance The New York Times 5 August 2007 13 May 2011 New York City Jim Schachter 20 August 2012 https://web.archive.org/web/20120820034131/http://www.nytimes.com/2007/08/05/weekinreview/05dodgers.html live He was now able to control both programming content on his network and distribution rights to the Dodgers.Cashmore Cashmore 2010 396 For the same reason, BSkyB replicated Fox's strategy and went ahead with a takeover of a Premier League club.6 September 1998 Fears over Murdoch Man Utd deal https://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/special_report/1999/03/99/murdochs_big_match/165474.stm live https://web.archive.org/web/20030418155123/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/special_report/1999/03/99/murdochs_big_match/165474.stm 18 April 2003 8 August 2025 BBC News Manchester United was thus the unanimous choice of Murdoch and board members. The club was the most valuable in English football,Harris 2000 38 making £30.1 million from gate receipts and programmes in 1997 alone. At the same time, more than 200 supporters' groups were established worldwide, and the club's fanbase exceeded 100 million, despite only a million having been to Old Trafford to watch the first team play.Harris 2000 39 As a means of capitalising on this growing market, MUTV, a television station operated by the club, was launched in August 1998. In co-operation with Granada Media Group and BSkyB, it was the world's first channel dedicated to a football club,https://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sport/football/148690.stm Man United launch TV station 10 August 1998 13 May 2011 BBC News British Broadcasting Corporation 2 January 2003 https://web.archive.org/web/20030102082946/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sport/football/148690.stm live funded entirely through subscriptions. On the pitch, United's success was mostly due to the talents of manager Ferguson, who assembled a team capable of dominating in the long-term. Reaction from supporters When BSkyB publicised their intentions to take over Manchester United, supporters reacted angrily to the news. Many felt the club's traditions, built on a loyal fanbase and the attractive football played under Matt Busby and now Alex Ferguson, would be tarnished. United was no longer an independent entity, and major decisions affecting the club looked increasingly likely to be taken outside of the United Kingdom.Greenfield Osborn 2001 58 As a means of rallying supporters to get behind their cause, awareness campaigns against the takeover were launched. Red Issue issued pamphlets to fans.Greenfield Osborn 2001 60 Demonstrations in and around Old Trafford took place before the match against Charlton Athletic on 9 September. Football fans across the UK also lent support by lobbying their local Member of Parliament to passing legislation, preventing further sport takeovers in the future.https://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/202267.stm Man Utd fans take on Parliament 27 October 1998 13 May 2011 BBC News British Broadcasting Corporation 7 March 2003 https://web.archive.org/web/20030307033817/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/202267.stm live Murdoch's bid led to the formation of Shareholders United Against Murdoch, more commonly known as Manchester United Supporters' Trust today.MUST Timeline https://www.imust.org.uk/About/must-timeline live https://web.archive.org/web/20250618151521/https://www.imust.org.uk/About/must-timeline 18 June 2025 8 August 2025 Manchester United Supporters' Trust en Working alongside Independent Manchester United Supporters Association (IMUSA), they sought the merger to be referred by the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry to the Monopolies and Mergers Commission. Both groups therefore submitted papers to the Office of Fair Trading, arguing that the merger should not be carried out.Hughson Inglis Free 2005 47 IMUSA argued that BSkyB's main intention was to strengthen their already dominant position and not that of United.King 2003 175 Sky Television's relevant market was premium subscription channels, and buying an established Premier League team when they already had rights to the division was purely for financial gain. Moreover, Manchester United's market was on the pitch, and an acquisition by a media organisation – particularly one run by Murdoch – may damage the sport in the long-term.Greenfield Osborn 2000 237 Notes References Bibliography Butler Cliff Manchester United: the Official Review 1998/99: 1999 Ponting Ivan 7 June 1999 Carlton Books Limited 978-0-2339-9453-6 en Cashmore Ellis Cashmore Ernest Making Sense of Sports 2010 Taylor & Francis New York 978-0-415-55220-2 Ferguson Alex The Unique Treble: The Inside Story - Match by Match Meek David Hodder & Stoughton 2000 978-0-3407-9261-2 en Greenfield Steve Osborn Guy Law and sport in contemporary society 2000 Routledge London 978-0-7146-5048-7 Greenfield Steve Osborn Guy Regulating football: commodification, consumption, and the law 2001 Pluto Press London 0-7453-1026-5 Harris Neil Business economics: theory and application 2000 Butterworth-Heinemann London 0-7506-4454-0 Hughson John Inglis David Free Marcus The uses of sport: a critical study 2005 Routledge New York 0-415-26048-5 King Anthony The European ritual: football in the new Europe 2003 Ashgate Publishing London 0-7546-3652-6 Murphy Alex The official illustrated history of Manchester United : the full story and complete record 1878-2010 Endlar Andrew Simon & Schuster 2010 978-1-8473-7910-8 en External links 1998–99 Manchester United F.C. kits 1998/99 season at MUFCinfo.com Category:Manchester United F.C. seasons Manchester United 1999 Category:UEFA Champions League–winning seasons Manchester United, 1998-99