Manchester City’s Pursuit of the Treble: Aiming to Join the Elite European Clubs

Manchester City is determined to become the eighth European club to achieve the prestigious Treble, consisting of winning the league title, the main domestic cup, and the European Cup/Champions League.

With the Premier League and FA Cup already secured, Manchester City finds itself on the cusp of winning the Champions League and completing the coveted Treble.

This remarkable feat has been accomplished only once by an English team before, none other than their cross-city rivals Manchester United during the 1998-99 season.

Now, as City’s manager Pep Guardiola aspires to emulate the success of United’s legendary manager Sir Alex Ferguson, exactly 24 years later, we reflect on five crucial matches that propelled Manchester United towards English football’s inaugural Treble triumph.

Arsenal 1-2 Man Utd (FA Cup Semi-Final Replay)

Date: Wednesday, 14 April 1999

In the FA Cup semi-final replay against their title rivals Arsenal, Manchester United’s winger Ryan Giggs conjured a moment of sheer brilliance in extra time. His magical run secured the Red Devils’ place in the FA Cup final.

After a goalless draw in the initial semi-final encounter, both teams returned to Villa Park for a midweek replay, brimming with tension.

Manchester United took the lead through David Beckham, only to be pegged back by Dennis Bergkamp’s equalizer in the second half.

United faced a daunting setback when their captain Roy Keane was sent off in the 74th minute, followed by a penalty conceded by Phil Neville in the dying moments of regular time.

However, Arsenal’s hopes were dashed as Peter Schmeichel saved Bergkamp’s penalty. Then, in the 109th minute, Giggs sealed the victory with an extraordinary solo effort, leaving the Gunners silenced and Manchester United on course for the Treble.

Juventus 2-3 Man Utd (Aggregate: 3-4, Champions League Semi-Final Second Leg)

Date: Wednesday, 21 April 1999

One week later, Manchester United orchestrated another thrilling comeback to secure their place in the Champions League final.

Having drawn 1-1 with Juventus in the first leg of the semi-final at Old Trafford, United found themselves 2-0 down in Turin after Filippo Inzaghi scored twice in the opening 11 minutes.

However, United’s captain Roy Keane stepped up and delivered one of the greatest individual performances in the club’s history. He headed home a corner from David Beckham in the 24th minute, igniting their comeback.

Dwight Yorke leveled the tie ten minutes later, and with the away goals rule in their favor, United completed the turnaround when Andy Cole scored the decisive goal in the closing stages.

Although Keane and Paul Scholes received yellow cards, rendering them unavailable for the final in Barcelona a month later, Manchester United’s relentless march toward the Treble continued.

Man Utd 2-1 Tottenham (Premier League Final Day)

Date: Sunday, 16 May 1999

On a nerve-wracking final day of the season, Manchester United secured their fifth Premier League title in seven years with a hard-fought victory over Tottenham at Old Trafford.

United, just one point ahead of second-placed Arsenal, knew that a win against mid-table Spurs on home soil would clinch the championship.

However, it was Tottenham who took a shock lead through Les Ferdinand in the 24th minute. Nevertheless, the Red Devils responded before halftime, with David Beckham curling in a beautiful equalizer.

The decisive moment arrived two minutes after the restart when Andy Cole produced an exquisite lob over goalkeeper Ian Walker to score the winning goal.

Manchester United held on to claim their first title at home since the days of Sir Matt Busby, marking the first of the three trophies required for their historic Treble.

Man Utd 2-0 Newcastle (FA Cup Final)

Date: Saturday, 22 May 1999

Just days before the Champions League final, Manchester United showcased their dominance by defeating Newcastle United in the FA Cup final. This victory secured their third league and cup double of the 1990s.

Replacing the injured Roy Keane in the first half, substitute Teddy Sheringham opened the scoring after 11 minutes, combining brilliantly with Paul Scholes.

In the second half, England midfielder Scholes sealed the victory with a well-placed, drilled finish in the 52nd minute.

Newcastle failed to mount a significant response, and Manchester United comfortably secured their second trophy of the season, setting their sights on Barcelona and the Champions League final.

Man Utd 2-1 Bayern Munich (Champions League Final)

Date: Wednesday, 26 May 1999

In late May 1999, Manchester United reached the pinnacle of their campaign. After securing the Premier League and FA Cup, they completed their unprecedented Treble with a remarkable comeback against German giants Bayern Munich in the Champions League final at the Nou Camp.

Despite the absence of suspended Roy Keane and Paul Scholes, Manchester United found themselves trailing as early as the sixth minute due to Mario Basler’s free-kick.

Bayern, also in pursuit of the Treble, controlled the game and hit the crossbar and post during the second half. However, they failed to capitalize on their dominance.

In a thrilling finale, it was two substitutes who turned the tide in United’s favor. Teddy Sheringham redirected Ryan Giggs’ scuffed shot to equalize in the 91st minute. And in the 93rd minute, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer pounced on a loose ball to score the decisive goal, granting Manager Alex Ferguson his first Champions League trophy, secured in the famous “Fergie time.”

Until the very last moment, tension filled the air as Manchester United sealed their place in history. Now, it is Manchester City’s turn to endeavor to match the greatest achievement of their fiercest rivals.

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