Friday, May 28, 1999 Published at 14:25 GMT 15:25 UK The ...red11.org/mufc/images/99/ecfinal/pdf/bbc.pdfMatt Busby "Fergie" is now a British footballing icon to rank alongside Sir

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Friday, May 28, 1999 Published at 14:25 GMT 15:25 UK

The Kings of Europe

Manchester United were crowned Kings of Europe after abreath-taking victory over Bayern Munich in thepressure-cooker atmosphere of the Nou Camp.

BBC News Online looks back at an unforgettable victoryand toasts the team that had already landed thePremiership and FA Cup in a remarkable season.

United crowned kings of EuropeManchester United completed a unique treble, after astunning victory in the European Cup thanks to injury-timegoals from Sheringham and Solksjaer.

Fergie modest despite victoryEuropean Cup winning manager, Alex Ferguson, praised thespirit of his players, but admitted he thought they had thrownit all away.

Barcelona: Quotes at a glanceBBC News Online rounds-up the quotes from a memorable

Internet LinksOfficial Manchester Unitedhomepage

The BBC is not responsible for thecontent of external internet sites.

In this sectionUnited 'not the greatest'

The Kings of Europe

Arise Sir Alex?

In squad we trust

Classic sporting comebacks

The architects of OldTraffordFrom SportDouble joy for Man United

United's road to Wembley

BBC News | Uniteds treble triumph | The Kings of Europe

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evening at the Nou Camp stadium.

Listen to the highlights of the match.

Barcelona: Victory in pictures

European final - key moments

Matthaus: United were luckyBayern Munich's disappointment was obvious at the end ofthe match as victory was snatched away from them.

Bayern fans distraughtGerman football fans are in a state of shock followingManchester United's stunning defeat of Bayern Munich in thefinal of the European Cup.

Arise Sir Alex?From the shipyards of the Clyde to all-conquering footballglory, the Guv'nor from Govan is finally smiling.

In squad we trustManchester United's European Cup-winning goalscorersprove that Alex Ferguson's strategy of rotating players withinhis squad is the key to success in modern football.

Schmeichel goes out with a bangManchester United's European Cup victory over BayernMunich proved a fitting finale for goalkeeper PeterSchmeichel - who leaves Old Trafford after eight years.

Are Man Utd the best ever club side?Manchester United secured a unique treble by adding theEuropean Cup to the FA Cup and Premiership title withvictory in Barcelona - but are they the best ever?

City's muted salute to UnitedManchester United's win fails to set the City of London alight -but it will add millions to the value of the club in the long term.

The architects of Old TraffordTwo men stand head and shoulders above all ManchesterUnited managers - Sir Matt Busby and Alex Ferguson. Buthow do they compare?

United '68 v United '99



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If the two great teams were to face each other, which wouldwin?

United do the doubleDefeating Newcastle United in the FA Cup final, the Redscomplete the double - match report.

United's road to WembleyWinning the FA Cup may have been the least of ManchesterUnited's achievements in a sensational season - but the roadto Wembley was still no easy ride.

Glorious United crowned championsJubilant scenes erupt at Old Trafford as Manchester Unitedbeat Tottenham 2-1 to secure their fifth championship inseven years.

The league never liesWinning the league proved to be just the first of threestunning victories for Manchester United but Arsenal took therace for the title right down to the wire.

Key moments from BBC radio and television's coverage ofthe drama of the treble victory.





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Kevin Bocquet reports from an ecstatic Manchester.

Alex Ferguson: "The greatest moment of my life"

Fans all over the worldManchester United supporters around the globe are over themoon - including Roy Keane's cousin in this report from NewYork.

Liverpool FC supporter Donna says even she's delightedfor Manchester United

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Friday, May 28, 1999 Published at 17:29 GMT 18:29 UK

United 'not the greatest'

Many fans believe the 1968 Manchester United side remain superior

Manchester United are not the greatest club side ever,according to News Online users.

60% of those who responded believed that this United sidecould not be considered the best side ever, citing teams suchas Real Madrid, Liverpool and ironically the side they beat tocomplete the treble, Bayern Munich, as superior sides.

While many were keen to applaud theachievements of Alex Ferguson's sideduring the season and the decade, theywere also determined to keep a senseof perspective.

"As a Utd supporter I am over the moonthat we have won the treble, and we

have not had an easy run in either the FA cup or theChampions League. Best side in the world ever? NO, we arenot even the best side in Europe in the 90's but we do havethe potential to become the best side of the next decade,"said Carl Sixsmith.

Insult

"It goes without saying the Man U are the best team inEngland at the moment. However, it is an insult to the Man ULiverpool and Leeds teams of the 60's and 70's to say thatthis team is better than them," said Mike Mcilroy.


The Kings of Europe

Arise Sir Alex?

In squad we trust




BBC News | Uniteds treble triumph | United 'not the greatest'



































"The AC Milan team of 1989(Gullit, van Basten, Rijkaard)remain the greatest club side ofall time," said David Wake.

But there were also those whofelt that United's unbeaten runsince the turn of the year,combined with their attractivestyle of play, made them worthyholders of the unofficial title ofteam of the century.

"With out a shadow of a doubt,United won it with style,panache and flourish. Thestandard of Europeanopposition nowadays is fargreater then in the 70s and 80s

when the Europeans had no answer to the physical gameplayed by the English teams," said Sunit K Joshi in the USA

Jealous

"You don't go 33 matches unbeaten being 'lucky' all the time.As usual we have the jealous collection of Scousers,Gooners and City fans. Look in your trophy cabinets fellas!!"said John Gregory, presumably not the one who managesAston Villa.

There was no shortage ofreplies when News Onlineasked why people hatedUnited, and the same sentimentcrept out at the asking of thisquestion.

"Yes they are a good footballteam but greatness ismeasured in other things suchas magnanimity andacceptance of other. Greatnessdoes not embrace arroganceand whinging at referees," saidMike Race.

But the final word goes to Mikein Hong Kong, who certainlyhas an original answer.

"Sheffield United in 1898 weremuch better - prove me wrong."













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Thursday, May 27, 1999 Published at 12:32 GMT 13:32 UK

Arise Sir Alex?

Alex Ferguson: His tireless work has helped deliver the treble

Gullit may have the dreadlocks, Vialli the tan, but onlyFerguson can claim what they all crave - sheer,unquestionable football immortality.

Manchester United's spectacular victoryin the European Cup, sealing anunparalleled treble with the League titleand FA Cup, has secured theirmanager a place in soccer sainthood.

Surely a knighthood is now just amatter of time for Alex Ferguson.

Alex McLeishremembers Fergusonfrom his Aberdeendays

Even Ferguson himself, famed for hisdourness and eyes like a sulking child,let the image slip.

"You can't top this because this is thepinnacle," he said, in the aftermath ofWednesday night's historic victory in

Barcelona.

Although far be it for him to lose any grip on reality. "You canequal it and we can try to maintain our high standards."


The Kings of Europe

Arise Sir Alex?

In squad we trust




BBC News | Uniteds treble triumph | Arise Sir Alex?

































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Ferguson with Man United mentorMatt Busby

"Fergie" is now a Britishfootballing icon to rankalongside Sir Matt Busby, whoestablished United as a worldclass outfit in the 1950s, andwhose reputation every Unitedmanager since has been tryingto rival.

In truth, Ferguson, 57, hadbeen a worthy heir to the Busbycrown even before the victoryagainst Bayern Munich. Sincehe broke a 20 year drought tobring the league title home toOld Trafford in 1993, he hasdelivered on his promises.

The side has topped the Premiership in five of the last sevenyears.

Born in Glasgow to a Protestant, working class family, hisleadership skills first came to the fore as a shop steward inthe Clyde shipyards, when Ferguson led an unofficialwalk-out over a pay dispute.

His first love had always beenfootball and Ferguson cut areasonably impressive figurewith Rangers. But he was madea scapegoat in the team'shumiliating 4-0 defeat againstarch rivals Celtic in the 1969Cup Final.

He switched to management,first with St Mirren and then,from 1978, at Aberdeen.

His tough-talking, hands-onapproach was a winner andFerguson smashed theCeltic-Rangers "Old Firm"monopoly, winning threechampionships, four ScottishCups and the European CupWinners' Cup in six years.

Known for his fiery temper, healso won the reputation of afiercely loyal coach who investstime and effort in star playersand apprentices alike.

It is this mix-and-matchapproach which has served him so well at Manchester, where



Ferguson has weaved home-gown talent and foreign flair intocohesive, gutsy sides.

Letting slip a smile before the matchwith Bayern Munich

Yet the going has not alwaysbeen good for him at OldTrafford, where initially hisabilities were called intoquestion by the fans. The lowpoint came in 1989 when theteam found itself hammered 5-1by its most bitter rivals,Manchester City.

On his third anniversary at theclub a flag was unfurled at ahome game which read: "Threeyears of excuses, ta-ra Fergie."

But chairman Martin Edwardsand the board did not waver, a

1990 FA Cup victory bought him valuable time.

The family atmosphere he had worked hard to establish wasbearing fruit and three years later the Guv'nor from Govanfinally brought home the League title.

His management style has been thoroughly analysed bylovers of the sport. They have attributed his success tofactors as diverse as a "working class ability" to asses thequalities of men around him, and "tunnel vision".

Friends in high places

Richard Greenbury, the former chairman of Marks andSpencer and a friend, called him the "best man-manager inBritain today". Ferguson himself has said: "Control everythingin management."

Now let's do it all again

Whatever his given talents,Ferguson, who is married toCathy and a father of threegrown-up sons, also puts in thehours. He is usually at theground by 0730 and regularlyworks 18-hour days. He is loyalto his players although nevershy to give them a blast of histemper.

Added to this is the fact that heis a pure football fan; a fountainof knowledge about the sport.

Ferguson has fostered a wealthof international talent including

Ryan Giggs, David Beckham, Paul Scholes, the Neville



Brothers, as well as signing overseas players such as EricCantona, Peter Schmeichel and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.

For someone so consumed by football, it may come as asurprise that he has outside interests. He owns a racehorseand has been a high profile campaigner for Tony Blair andthe Labour Party.

So now Fergie is at the "pinnacle", has his seeminglyinsatiable thirst for glory been quenched?

Not a bit. Last month, while contemplating the three cups thathave since come his way, he commented: "Even if we win allthree, I'd want to go out and win it again."











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In squad we trust

United's players go wild after their substitutes combine for the winning goal

Never has there been such an eloquent demonstration ofAlex Ferguson's "squad system".

Manchester United's European Cupvictory owed everything to last-gaspgoalscorers Teddy Sheringham andOle Gunnar Solskjaer - two players whohave spent much of the seasonwarming the bench.

While the first-choice strikeforce ofDwight Yorke and Andy Cole was grabbing all the headlinesduring United's charge towards the treble, thesesecond-string forwards were left kicking their heels.

Sheringham andSolskjaer reflect ontheir late, late goals

But manager Ferguson has alwaysinsisted that success in modern football,with its energy-sapping schedule, is allabout having strength in depth.

And the events of the past 10 days haveproved just how pertinent his philosophy has become.

Gunners pipped at post

First the Premiership title was secured, with Arsenal - another

Relevant Stories25 May 99 | FootballTeddy ready for England19 Jan 99 | FA Carling PremiershipSolskjaer says no24 Aug 98 | FA Carling PremiershipFerguson: "Ole will stay"

Internet LinksManchester United site

The BBC is not responsible for thecontent of external internet sites.


The Kings of Europe

Arise Sir Alex?

In squad we trust




BBC News | Uniteds treble triumph | In squad we trust

































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club determined to follow the squad rotation system - beateninto second place by one point, only because their reserveswere not quite of the same quality as the world-class playersUnited could call on.

Alex Ferguson: Master of squadrotation

Then Sheringham was votedman of the match in the FA Cupfinal victory over Newcastle.

He began the game in hisaccepted role as substitute -but an untimely early injury toskipper Roy Keane gave himhis chance and he took it inspectacular fashion, scoring thefirst goal and making thesecond.

Any hopes the former Spursstriker had of starting inBarcelona, however, weredashed when Ferguson stuck

with his preferred front pair of Yorke and Cole, whose goalshad taken United to the brink of European glory.

But with the starting strikers showing signs that the longseason had taken its toll, Ferguson made his tactical move,with Sheringham introduced for Jesper Blomqvist andSolskjaer replacing Cole with 10 minutes to go.

The shake-up in personnel gave United fresh impetus in thedying minutes and the replacements provided the killer blows,Sheringham equalising and then setting up Solskjaer for thestunning winner.

"I had to gamble," Ferguson said. "It's a European final sowhy not do it? Teddy and Ole paid off."

But, in truth, throwing two proven international goalscorersinto the fray does not amont to much of a gamble - it is morelike a considered strategy on the manager's part.

Team spirit

Ferguson's recipe for success is simple.

Everyone at Old Trafford knows the team comes first - thereis simply no place for the kind of prima donna antics thathave enraged fans of other clubs this season.

From the moment a player arrives at United, Ferguson makesit clear that individual ambitions must be put to one side forthe good of the club as a whole.

No-one is guaranteed a first-team place and the strict wagestructure removes the prospect of jealous back-biting and



Teddy Sheringham: He went to ManUtd and he won the treble

dressing room in-fighting.

Unlike other high profilePremiership sides, there is noclique of superstar playersearning sums that are ten timesthe wages of the averagesquad tyro.

Regular reshuffles

Such is the level of expectationat Old Trafford that thefrustration of sitting on thebench never seems to forceplayers out of the club.

Ferguson has frequentlyshuffled his pack during his quest for treble glory, resting tiredplayers and preserving others for big games.

Fringe players like Wes Brown, David May, Henning Berg,Phil Neville and Jesper Blomqvist have all been givenprolonged runs in the team.

And even established internationals like Nicky Butt and PaulScholes have had to bide their time.

But it is Sheringham and Solskjaer who will ultimately bebranded as United's "super subs".

Both have had difficult seasons while their illustriousteam-mates have grabbed the attention.

Terrace abuse

Sheringham's United career had faltered since his arrivalfrom Tottenham as Eric Cantona's replacement.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer: No regrets forrejecting transfer bids

He has had to endure viciousabuse from rival supporters -particularly from Spurs andArsenal fans - and a poor run ofform saw him suffer theignominy of losing his place inthe England side.

Norwegian Solskjaer has neverhad a problem scoring goals forUnited - but he still foundhimself behind both Yorke andCole in the queue for a startingspot.

Other clubs scented his desirefor first-team football and

decided to move in.



But Solskjaer rejected overtures from Spurs and West Ham,with the inference that it was better to play reserve teamfootball for United than lead the attack in a mid-tablePremiership side.

"If I had been at any other club but United then I think I wouldhave gone to the manager and asked to leave," he said at thetime. "But I want to stay here and win things."

No-one now will be questioning the validity of his decision.

Not too many substitutes have scored the winning goal in aEuropean Cup final - and Solskjaer is in no doubt that thesquad system is the key to success.

"The team spirit is unbelievable," he said. "Everyone worksfor each other. We're all in it together.

"If anyone wonders why I stay here at Manchester United,this is it."











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Manchester United celebrate victory at the Nou Camp stadium

Manchester United's heartstopping injury-time triumph in theEuropean Cup final is just the latest example of sport's abilityto create classic moments of high drama.

And never is that more obvious than when a team orindividual fights back for victory against enormous odds.

Such moments are rare, but when they happen they are trulymemorable. Other great moments include:

1981: Ian Botham

Ian Botham's year had begun as badly as the previous onehad ended. Captain of England, Botham had led his countryagainst the best team in the world, the West Indies, and hadlost home and away.

The summer of 1981 saw the arrival of Australia, and thetourists took the first Test.

Botham's form had plummeted, and it came as no surprisewhen he produced two scoreless innings in the next Test atLord's.

At seemingly his lowest ebb he received yet another blowwhen the selectors publicly announced that he had beensacked, despite his offer of resignation.


The Kings of Europe

Arise Sir Alex?

In squad we trust




BBC News | Uniteds treble triumph | Classic sporting comebacks



































Belligerent Botham saves England

The following Test atHeadingley saw Botham beginhis second innings withEngland still needing 122 runsto avoid defeat and just fivewickets remaining.

But Botham responded withone of the greatestbacks-to-the-wall knocks of alltime, making an unbeaten 149with a variety of differentpartners.

His innings gave England theslimmest chance of bowling outthe Aussies, and Bob Willis

duly obliged with 8-43.

1985: Dennis Taylor

Tipped to become snooker's world champion by his 30thbirthday, Dennis Taylor entered the 1985 tournament at theage of 36 - his ambition unfulfilled.

His form had improved, however, and he had reached thefinals on the back of his best ever season, with threetournament victories under his belt.

But his wits and talent were to be pitted against the might ofSteve Davis' clinical skills and will-to-win. An entire gruellingweekend of adrenalin-charged play ensued, with Taylor attimes hanging onto the game by the skin of his teeth.

On Saturday, more than six hours after play had begun, hewon his first frame. Davis took the next, but Taylor nabbedthe remaining six - ending the evening only just behind at 9-7.

All day Sunday, the maul continued - the stifling tensionpeaking as the last frame was whittled agonisingly down tothe black, which was chased around the table until Taylorsmoothly potted it at 11.23pm - to the delight of a late-nighttelevision audience of many millions.

1996: Nick Faldo

Greg Norman's six-shot lead over Britain's Nick Faldoseemed unassailable in the final round of the 1996 AugustaMasters.

But faced with Faldo's surgeon-like precision, the Great WhiteShark's record lead was squandered in alarming fashion.

Faldo's recovery began with Norman's wayward wedge to theninth, resulting in a bogey and the lead being cut to just twoshots.



Shark-killing Faldo

The Australian's lead thendisintegrated. Despitemanaging birdies up theback-nine par fives, he shotone into the pond.

Faldo had refused to concededefeat to his playing partnerand an immaculate final roundgave him a stunning victory, forhis third Masters title.

1999: Brian Lara

Brian Lara's double-centuryagainst Australia in the secondTest in Sabina Park in March of

this year was an innings of timing, elegance and technique.

But it was also much more. It was a defining moment of thecaptain's character when his team was up against the wall.Not only did it save the Test, it showed that, after manydisappointments, the Windies could still be world beaters.

His team had been bowled out for 51 in the previous Testmatch - an all time low for the West Indies. And under hiscaptaincy, they had been whitewashed 5-0 on the previoustour of South Africa.

With pressure mounting for Lara to resign as skipper, hecame to the crease at five for two, and left it a day and a halflater with a score of 213 - his team in complete control.

1999: Scott Gibbs

England were hot favourites to win the Grand Slam atWembley in April - with only one game left against a Welshside who had defeated France by one point in Paris fourweeks earlier.

The "fastest prop in rugby" breaksEnglish hearts

The game started well forEngland with wing Dan Lugertouching down with an early try.

Wales, who failed to break asuperb line of defence fromEngland, managed to hang ononly through the kicking onfly-half Neil Jenkins.

Further tries from debutantSteve Hanley and Richard Hillleft Wales trailing by sevenpoints at half-time.

And so the game continued.Despite a quick second-half try



from Shane Howarth, Wales found themselves six pointsbehind three minutes into injury time.

England seemed to have secured their goal.

But as if from nowhere, centre Scott Gibbs broke free to tearthrough the heart of the England defence and bring theWelsh within one point.

The conversion was duly slotted by Jenkins to secure anhistoric victory for Wales and deny England rugby's oldestprize.

1999: Carlisle United

Just weeks ago, seasoned football watchers were leftspeechless after one of the most thrilling climaxes to a leaguecampaign the game had ever seen.

Carlisle needed a miracle on the last day of the season tomaintain their position in the Football League.

Only a win could help them - and they achieved it in injurytime.

On-loan goalie saves the day

Lee Phillips had put Plymouthahead at the start of the secondhalf, and Carlisle's DavidBrightwell equalised after atense 15 minutes.

So the scores stood level asthe game entered its finalstages. With only secondsremaining, Carlisle pulledeveryone forward - includinggoalkeeper Jimmy Glass - onloan to the team from Swindon- out of goal for a corner at thePlymouth end.

As the kick was taken, with theclock on 94 minutes, Glass found the net. "If Schmeichel cando it, I can do it."

The Carlisle fans went into raptures over the goal, but it wasalso a moment of heartbreak for Scarborough fans - whoreplaced Carlisle and were relegated to the NationwideConference.













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Monday, May 17, 1999 Published at 18:54 GMT 19:54 UK

The architects of Old Trafford

Pat Crerand and George Best celebrate Matt Busby's 1968 European Cup win

Two men stand head and shoulders above all other ManchesterUnited managers - Sir Matt Busby and Alex Ferguson.

Sir Matt was, of course, the individual whodid more than anyone to build United intoarguably the biggest club in Britain andone of the most famous sides in the world.

Twenty-eight years after he ended hissecond stint as United manager, Busby'sshadow still falls over Old Trafford.

His statue adorns the ground,which is itself situated in Sir MattBusby Way.

It is impossible to underestimateBusby's importance to the RedDevils.

But now Ferguson has achievedhis goal of winning the EuropeanCup in Barcelona, his supporterscan legitimately put him alongsideSir Matt.

Relevant Stories27 May 99 | FA Carling PremiershipFergie is top boss04 May 99 | FA Carling PremiershipFerguson signs new ManUtd deal27 May 99 | UKNeo-Nazis strengthen gripin Austria

In this sectionWhy we hate United - Yourreaction

BBC News | Uniteds Euro Showdown | The architects of Old Trafford

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Ferguson and Busby: United legends

Former Unitedmanager WilfMcGuinness assessesFerguson and Busby

United's triumph in the 1999 Premiershipmeans Ferguson has equalled the fiveleague titles his illustrious predecessor wonin the 1950s and '60s.

And now Ferguson has add the oneremaining piece of silverware to his

personal trophy room - the European Cup itself.

Scottish success stories

The similarities between the two men, who grew up in the samearea of western Scotland. are striking.● Both took over United in a state of chaos and turned the clubinto undisputed kings of English football.● Both based their success on shrewd youth development -Busby's Babes were followed in the 1990s by Fergie'sFledglings - and believed in playing the game in a stylish, attimes adventurous, fashion.● And, unlike so many managers who seem to concentratesolely on the first-team squad, both were able to shape the clubfrom top to bottom.

Post-war salvage job

Busby, a stylish half-back whose playing career was disruptedby the Second World War, inherited a team with no home, asOld Trafford had been severely damaged in the Blitz.

The team were forced to play theirmatches at Maine Road, home oftheir arch rivals City, but despitethe parlous condition of the clubBusby soon began to turn themaround.

They won the championship in1952, United's first title for 41years, and in his first six seasonsin charge they never finishedlower in the table than fourth.

Then came the tragedy of the1956 Munich air crash that wipedout half the United team andnearly cost Busby his life.

But undeterred, he rebuilt the sidefor a second time, basing hissuccess around the world classtriumvirate of Best, Law andCharlton.

Burden of expectation



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Ferguson took the reins in 1986 in different circumstances, butthere were still enormous problems.

Flags adorn the street sign after SirMatt's death in 1994

Unlike when Busby assumedcontrol, the infrastructure of theclub was in tact - indeed Unitedstill claimed to be the biggest sidein the land.

But it was on the pitch wherethings were awry.

The title had not returned to OldTrafford since Busby's lasttriumph in 1967 and despite theoccasional FA Cup success, theholy grail of the championshiplooked a long way off and thepressure had taken its toll on asuccession of managers.

At first not everything went according to plan for Ferguson.

Such was the parlous state of the United set-up that results didnot go his way and, following a run of bad results in the 1989-90season, the knives began to be sharpened.

But Fergie saved his job with victory in the 1990 FA Cup - andwith his position secure he was able to usher in a decade ofdomestic dominance.

Fergie's 'the best ever'

Few people in football are as qualified as Wilf McGuinness tooffer an opinion on the relative merits of Ferguson and Busby.

The former United manager spent18 years at the club under Busbyand has observed Ferguson'sachievements from close range.

And he believes that by bringingthe European Cup back to OldTrafford, Ferguson has eveneclipsed Sir Matt himself.

"For me there's been nobodybetter than the two of them,"McGuinness said.

"With things going according toplan I think he's got to be thegreatest ever. It's as simple asthat.

"Typical of Alex, though, he wouldjust be delighted to be thought off



in the same way that Matt was."

McGuinness has no doubts thatSir Matt would be just as proud tobe compared with Ferguson.

He said: "I like to look at it in theromantic or dreamer's way and forme Matt Busby is up up there inheaven looking down on Alex andthinking 'What a wonderful jobhe's done'."











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Friday, May 28, 1999 Published at 14:25 GMT 15:25 UK The ...red11.org/mufc/images/99/ecfinal/pdf/bbc.pdfMatt Busby "Fergie" is now a British footballing icon to rank alongside Sir