Manchester United 1999 v 2008

Manchester United 1999 v 2008

From Times Online



David Beckham or Ronaldo? Rio Ferdinand or Jaap Stam? Ryan Giggs or Ryan Giggs? Manchester United left it late in Barcelona and in Moscow but which team was better? The 1999 Treble winners or the 2008 Double heroes?

1999

Peter Schmeichel 10 out of 10

One of the greatest goalkeepers of all time, the Great Dane kept a clean sheet in 42 per cent of the league games he played for United and his last-minute penalty save from Dennis Bergkamp in the FA Cup semi-final against Arsenal was a crucial turning point in the 1999 Treble season.

Gary Neville 8

Reviled by neutrals for his devotion to the Red cause, Citizen Neville was first choice right back for club and country when United won the Treble. Still at United, still standing up for his rights and still rubbing Liverpool supporters up the wrong way.

Ronny Johnsen 6

Ronny who? The Norway centre back and defensive midfield player was unassuming and dependable but injury-prone. Won four league titles in six years at Old Trafford and still going strong at 38 for Valerenga in Norway.

Jaap Stam 8

Spent three seasons at Old Trafford and won three titles, the FA Cup and the European Cup. Still a cult hero even though he left under a cloud after Sir Alex Ferguson read his controversial autobiography and decided that he was past his sell-by date.

Denis Irwin 8

Mr Dependable was solid as a rock in the nineties and he won seven titles in 12 years at Old Trafford. Could play at right back or left back and was dangerous at set pieces.

David Beckham 8

Victoria Beckham was still Victoria Adams when the future England captain lifted three trophies in ten days to prove that he was more than just a pretty face. Telepathic understanding with Gary Neville on the right flank was a key feature of the 1999 side.

Nicky Butt 7

Amazingly named as the best player in the 2002 World Cup finals by Pele, Butt is still going strong at Newcastle United although he is unlikely to be adding to his collection of medals – six Premier League, three FA Cups and a European Cup – any time soon.

Ryan Giggs 8

”Giggs, Giggs will tear you apart again”. The Welsh winger is the only player in the world with a Joy Division-inspired chant but there was nothing depressing about his performances in 1999. He scored a wonder goal in the FA Cup semi-final against Arsenal before ruining the moment by taking off his shirt.

Jesper Blomqvist 6

Swedish enigma who spent most of his time in Manchester in the Old Trafford treatment room but played in the epic semi-final second leg victory against Juventus and kept his place in the team for the final against Bayern Munich.

Dwight Yorke 7

Justified his £12.6 million transfer fee from Aston Villa by forming a devastating strike partnership with Andy Cole. Scored 29 times in the Treble season and still going strong - just.

Andy Cole 7

Never made the grade for England but scored 195 times for United in six years, including the vital winning goal in the final league game of the 1998-99 season, against Tottenham Hotspur at Old Trafford. Released by Sunderland two weeks ago.

TOTAL: 83

Subs:

Teddy Sheringham 7

Started his career three years before Wayne Rooney was born, in 1982, and hung up his boots at the end of last season. Scored the dramatic stoppage time equalizer against Bayern Munich in the Champions League final after replacing Blomqvist in the 67th minute.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer 8

Baby-faced assassin who scored for fun at Old Trafford and became an instant cult hero by beating Oliver Kahn from close range in the dying seconds after replacing Cole in the 81st minute. Retired last summer after failing to recover from a serious knee injury and will manage the United reserve team next season.

2008

Edwin van der Sar 8

Despite his Moscow heroics, he is not quite in the same class as Schmeichel but has hardly put a foot wrong since arriving at Old Trafford three years ago. Described by Ferguson as the best goalkeeper to play for the club since Schemichel.

Wes Brown 7

Was on the bench at the Nou Camp in 1999 but has been an integral member of the side this season. Finally living up to the promise that prompted Ferguson to mark him out as the most talented defender at the club in 2000.

Rio Ferdinand 8

Making headlines for the right reasons this season and developing into the best defender in the world. Strong, quick and skilful and leading the race to be the next permanent England captain.

Nemanja Vidic 8

Tough Serbian defender who defends his territory like Leonid Brezhnev. Loves tackling and sniffing out danger and doesn’t collapse when he’s slapped.

Patrice Evra 8

Becoming one of the best left backs in the world after a shaky start at Old Trafford. A devastatingly quick and tenacious tackler. Asked team-mates where the nearest church was when he arrived in Manchester in 2006. “I want to thank God for all he has done for me,” he said.

Owen Hargreaves 7

Slow but solid start to Old Trafford career since his £17 million move from Bayern Munich last summer but scored a crucial goal in the 2-1 victory over Arsenal in April and made no mistake from the spot in Moscow.

Paul Scholes 8

Quiet, unassuming and a pass master. Described by Sir Bobby Charlton as his favourite United player of all time. Suspended for the 1999 final.

Michael Carrick 7

The armchair generals were queuing up to have a pop at Fergsuon for paying up to £18.6 million for the Geordie midfield player but who’s laughing now? May be unspectacular but rarely gives the ball away and keeps the United midfield ticking over.

Cristiano Ronaldo 10

The best player in the world.

Wayne Rooney 8

The best English player in the world – on his day.

Carlos Tevez 7

Missed two sitters in Moscow but his first season at Old Trafford has been an unqualified success. Tough, streetwise attacker who is adored at Upton Park, loved at Old Trafford and despised in Fulham Broadway.

TOTAL 86

Subs:

Ryan Giggs 7

Old Trafford legend who broke Sir Bobby Charlton’s United appearance record in Moscow. Struggled to hold down a place in the starting XI this year but scored a crucial goal against Wigan Athletic in the last league match of the season.

Nani 7

Portuguese boy wonder who has nearly as many tricks in his box as Ronaldo. Being groomed by Fergsuon to replace Giggs.

Anderson 7

Destined to replace Scholes in midfield over the next few seasons and made an impact in his first year at Old Trafford by giving as good as he got against Steven Gerrard and Cesc Fabregas