Special features
1999 v 2008
By Chris Harvey Last updated: 22nd May 2008
Manchester United's treble winners of 1998-99 have gone down as one of the greatest sides in the club's history but after their dramatic victory in Moscow over Chelsea, Sir Alex Ferguson's class of 2008 will now draw comparison with the side that beat Bayern Munich at the Camp Nou in 1999. Skysports.com's Chris Harvey runs the rule over the two sides.
WINNERS 1999
PETER SCHMEICHEL: The giant Dane, then 35, had already announced he was to leave Old Trafford after the final. Arguably not at his peak but still among the planet's top keepers. 9 (out of 10)
GARY NEVILLE: Even at 24, Neville had the experience of several seasons and at his energetic best on the right flank. 8
RONNY JOHNSEN: Injuries kept his career at the top level brief, but the Norwegian was a classy, composed performer when fit. 7
JAAP STAM: The Dutch giant was consistently immense during the treble season, combining physical presence with good positioning and organisational skills. 8
DENIS IRWIN: Mr Consistency. Unspectacular but as solid as they come at left-back. 7
DAVID BECKHAM: Victory in Barcelona was just reward after his vilification for that red card against Argentina a year earlier. Partnership with Neville was sensational that season, but struggled in the final after being asked to play more centrally. 8
NICKY BUTT: Thrust into the centre of midfield in the absence of Roy Keane and Paul Scholes, Butt failed to exert the same influence, as throughout his Old Trafford career. 6
RYAN GIGGS: By 1999 he had added maturity to his brilliant armoury and was one of the key players in United's run to the final. 9
JESPER BLOMQVIST: Not at Giggs' level but a pacy threat on the right. Like Johnsen, injury severely limited his time at the top. 6
ANDY COLE: Revered by some, laughed at by others, Cole's predatory finishing saw him end the season with 24 goals as his partnership with Dwight Yorke flourished. 8
DWIGHT YORKE: The skilful Trinidadian was in brilliant form that year and excelled alongside Cole and Beckham, who provided much of his ammunition. 8
SUBSTITUTES: The key to the Camp Nou triumph, Teddy Sheringham and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer famously came off the bench to score the last-gasp goals that defeated Bayern Munich. 9
WINNERS 2008
EDWIN VAN DER SAR: Even older than Schmeichel was at 37 but is a reassuring presence in goal. The first comparable United keeper since the Dane left the club has been among the Premier League's best stoppers this term. 8
WES BROWN: Not always convincing at right-back but he has filled in admirably in Neville's injury-enforced absence this season. 6
RIO FERDINAND: Is there a better centre-back in the world at the moment? Fast, composed, strong and comfortable on the ball, Ferdinand has matured into the complete defender. 9
NEMANJA VIDIC: Not as polished as Ferdinand but equally effective, the Serb has formed a world-class double act with the Englishman. 8
PATRICE EVRA: No Premier League full-back makes such penetrative attacking runs and he is an unsung hero of United's attacking game. Increasingly solid in defence. 8
PAUL SCHOLES: Not the goal threat he once was but still the heartbeat of the United midfield. Just don't ask him to tackle. 8
MICHAEL CARRICK: The rise of Anderson this season has overshadowed the strides made by Carrick, who has added a new toughness to his range of passing. 7
OWEN HARGREAVES: Injuries have prevented him from fulfilling his potential since last summer's move from Bayern, but he is always a steady presence and dangerous from set-pieces. 7
CARLOS TEVEZ: Deadly with the ball, a downright pain in the backside for the opposition without it. Works tirelessly and must be the best defensive striker in the game. 8
WAYNE ROONEY: Would be the undoubted star of most teams given his clinical finishing, spectacular shooting, physical strength and dogged determination. 8
CRISTIANO RONALDO: If he rejects the Spanish overtures, the fleet-footed Portuguese will lay claim to becoming the greatest player in Premier League history. At his best, unstoppable. 9
SUBSTITUTES: Ryan Giggs, Nani, Anderson, Darren Fletcher, Mikael Silvestre, John O'Shea and Tomasz Kuszczak. Superb options aside from the lack of a back-up striker. 8.
TOTALS
1999: 93 out of 120
2008: 94 out of 120
What do YOU think about the comparisons between the 1999 winners and the class of 2008? Let us have your thoughts using the form below.
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Comments
Shaynik Choudhury (Manchester United fan) says...
Well in my opinion we cannot compare who is the better team between the class of 99 and 08 because football as change a whole lot in 9 years. For all i know, both team were champions of europe and had the class of their own. Obviously if u look at it now the current united squad has much more talent and depth but you cant take anything away from the team of 99 because they had the will to win in the full 90 minutes even without our two key players of scholes and keane. And about the rating for the current united squad, i think wes brown and vidic had a superb season and i think they have been underrated by many people this season. And i still thought ji sung park should have at least been on the bench for the finals over nani. He stepped up big time in crucial matches. But all in all, manchester united is the team to beat from now on and for many years to come...
Posted 17:24 26th May 2008
Samuel Casha (Manchester United fan) says...
Personally, I think the 1999 team is better. I don't know if many of you know this-and I give you no fault. Everyone says United won 3 cups that year-but the thruth is- they won 4!!!!! Except for the League,the Cup and the Champions League, they won the Intercontinental Cup too!!!! Although the 1999 team is better, it's not by much. Schmeichel and V.d.sar are both spectacular,Neville,stam and Johnsen are replaced by Brown,Ferdinand and Evra. Giggs is still there - although much older. Tevez and Rooney are as good as Cole and Yorke. Ronaldo, Hargreaves,Scholes and Carrick can be compared to Butt,Beckham,Irwin and Blomqvist. Ronaldo is also too good to be left out ,although I don't like his way of play. I like Giggsy most .
Posted 19:07 24th May 2008
Nick Thomas says...
Wayne Rooney given an 8? Yes it's pretty much a given that he's a great player, but he's not in the top echelons of Premiership strikers. 6-7 over the season is a fairer assesment, and if his long pass to Ronaldo in the final is ruled out, a 4-5 would be more accurate for the final.
Posted 15:34 23rd May 2008
Nir Shamir says...
For me the 1999 final was the most exhilarating football night in my life, bar none. The 2008 team is fantastic but couldn¿t even win the game in play. If they win one or two more though, the 2008 team will have to be considered better.
Posted 15:24 23rd May 2008
John Oseyili says...
Wes Brown should be at least eight, Vidic Nine and Rio Ferdinard 8, Brown and Vidic contribution should not be under rated if for anything, Vidic is far more important and hardworking than Ferdinard
Posted 15:02 23rd May 2008
Paul Aujla says...
Whether one team was as good as another, years ago, is always a difficult decision to make. What is certain is that we have been blessed with some truely exceptional players, thanks for Lord Fergie, over the past 20 years. In all honesty, I don't think i'll ever see a team as exciting or as good as the 1993-1995 team. They were the frist team to do the double, but before you all say they failed to win the European Cup...ask yourself why? Back then there was the 3 foreigner rule, and in case you forgot, players such as Giggsy, Hughes, Irwin and Keane were classed as foreign - and that's more than 3 first team players...before I have even mentioned the likes of Cantona, Kanchelskis and Schmeichel. Due to the problem of British players not being realised as 'home' players unless from England, meant that we suffered at the likes of Barcelona et al, who had no such problems. Football changes, but if that team were to play today (and therefore have the approporiate fitness levels) they would out-strength Chelsea, out-experience AC Milan, and out-skill our current wonderful team. As for the 1999 team...many players have been undermarked and with the team missing Scholesy and Keano, that has had an obvious impact on the strange scoring system anyway. But, that team only knew one way to play...(like the 1994 team) okay, if you score 2 goals then we'll score 3...amazing! So we come to the 2008 team...well, brilliant! Fergie and the lads have done us proud and won the 3 top trophies in 2 years, in a time when it is supposedly more difficult to dominate. This team can only get better and it does excite me... But nothing comes close to the excitement I felt watching the 1994 and 1999 teams...well, not yet anyway ;o)
Posted 14:25 23rd May 2008
John Terry says...
Ronaldo has had a great season and scored lots of goals! I don't like his style personally and I was more of a fan of Cantona to be honest! He has been compared to George Best, but again personally speaking I don't think he did enough in the final as Bestie did against Benfica in 68! I'm not anti-united - infact I cheered my head off and woke my wife up, when Solsjaer scored the winner in 99! I just can't view this team as a classic despite everything they've achieved this season! Most peoples lasting memory will be Terry's penalty miss - that's what won the cup for Utd was it not?
Posted 13:58 23rd May 2008
Adam Fowler says...
No difference both teams were good but the difference the modern Manchester united team have the better chance of sucessfully defending the premier league and champions league. I can see man utd retaining the league and the champions league this time next year.
Posted 13:53 23rd May 2008
Tomas Shanahan says...
Vidic should be a 9 was immense in final and throughout leauge campaign
Posted 13:16 23rd May 2008
Dominic Ofoluwa says...
1st of all, are we talkin about the '99 in the final and the 2008 team in the final or over the season. for me, the '99 team is the better team if not the greatest ever united side. even the arsenal invincibles wouldn't have come close to the '99 team. whenever i watched the '99 team, i felt we couldnt be beaten even if we were down by up to 4 goals. when i watch the 2008 team, if we are a goal behind i get scared. kudos to the 2008 team for giving me joy this season especially against chelsea (one of the numerous pretenders to the throne) but i think i'll go with the '99 (after all they did the treble)
Posted 07:41 23rd May 2008
Stephen Connolly says...
Irwin was an 8 as a left back legend, and if keane and scholes were in team 1999 is better
Posted 07:37 23rd May 2008
Yap Yong peng says...
To me the 2008 team is better as surely the standard of EPL and Champions League had improved since 9 years ago... however, i felt that a better United Team is still very much possible. remember in both UCL, we did not win by being the better team and for this season, we are extremely lucky against both Chelsea and Barcelona. Next season, Giggs, Scholes and maybe Ronney will continue to deprove and we defintely needs a big striker so that we can have a plan B i.e. direct route to goal when chasing from one-nil down...
Posted 07:30 23rd May 2008
Heikal Suhaili says...
The difference between 99 and 08 is that the age of the team. 99 squad is at it's peak whereas 08 have a young squad. In my opinion, to compare both squads I would judge on how they would build up from here. It is too soon to judge the squad of 08 and the 99 squad certainly have failed to win at least another champions league. The 08 squad remains to be seen but the prospects are colourful and intriguing for the future. With so many young and talented individuals who can change the game, it'll be promising in the future. On the other hand, the event in 99 was far better than 08 because it has everything to it. But despite that, I'll take any European victory for United, Glory Glory Man United!
Posted 06:35 23rd May 2008
Nathaniel Bell (man utd fan) says...
The '99 team was amazing...Yorke and Cole upfront was frightening with pace, clinical effiency and an abundance of technique at the back the mightiest of goalies in Schmeichel and with keane and scholes in the centre mid a truly dominatant team with flair and poise...The '08 team has the potential to eclipse the team of '99 with added technical ability and even more attacking flair and variety...With Rooney and Tevez we have to bulldogs...one who can score from almost newhere on his day and the other who doesn't understand what it means to be tired....Last night Rooney was better than ronaldo except for the fact that ronny scored...rooney has added vision to his vast repetoire but he loses the ball too much in his quest to be everything for the team...his runs give ronny and tevez the time and space needed to shine which is why he is still soo important to us...All we need to truly outshine the '99 team is a Huntelaar and for van der sar to retire.
Posted 04:10 23rd May 2008
Dan Smith says...
I think if you merged the two teams based on the whole seaon of the 99 and 08 triumphs you would get this easily... schmeichel, neville, stam, vidic, irwin, beckham, keane, scholes, giggs, ronaldo, yorke. And in every case it would be the 99 version where it applies. That's 2 08 players in that line up. At a push i'd give you evra and tevez maybe to make it 4 but even still the 99 side was better. In terms of squad the current team is better and i agree that this side has potential to be better than 99 overall. But the 99 midfield is the best midfield ive ever seen. this article clearly wants to favour the current team for some reason andthe marks have been doctored accordingly. Beckham should be a 9 for what he acheived that season. Irwin should be same as Evra. Stam should be a 9 as should vidic. Rio would be lucky with an 8. But when all said and done it is a close run thing but the united team acheived more in 99 with a smaller squad and harder games in the run up to the champions league final. Remember they had Juve Barca and Bayern. European football just isnt as strong across the board anymore there is only a few top teams now.
Posted 02:59 23rd May 2008
James Moore says...
I think some of the ratings are a little bit off.Vidic should be a 9,so should Jaap Stam. Put Keane and Scholes into the 99 midfield and its game over. At that time Keane was possibly the best midfielder in the world, and scholes was a 24 year old England star at his peak. Bar Ronaldo,none of this years midfield would get into the 99 side. Also,Yorke and Cole were the greatest strikeforce in premiership history. The current team is outstanding,but the treble team of 99 would have beaten them.
Posted 23:48 22nd May 2008
Sean Hownam says...
Carrick at 7? Criminally underrated. Everytime I watch United he's fantastic. His influence should not be underestimated.
Posted 23:46 22nd May 2008
Aaron Priestley says...
Let's not forget that this united team faced a Chelsea team that was arguably much stronger than the Bayern Munich team of 99 - granted that the Bayern team united eventually beat were still very strong. The depth of the 08 team I would consider to be much stronger. No offense to Blomqvist (who I do remember playing well that season) but Nani and Park are much better options and attacking threats. Though I must admit I felt a lot more confident in the 99 final that we were going to win, obviously as the match drew on such confidence may have dwindled. In 08 final, it would be fair to claim that fate played its cards much later. What both team possessed is a never say die attitude (as Manu will continue to possess) Both teams are deserving champions in their own right and both teams will be remembered in Champion's Legue history as two of the greatest.
Posted 22:55 22nd May 2008
Djni Dalsgar says...
"RIO FERDINAND: Is there a better centre-back in the world at the moment?" Yes, his teammate Nemanja Vidic. Rio is what he is because of Vidic. 7 for Rio and 9 for Nemanja. And at least 7 for Brown.
Posted 22:47 22nd May 2008
Andy Gee (Middlesbrough fan) says...
Lets face it...both Utd teams were extremely lucky to come away with wins in their respective finals. Totally outplayed and outclassed by Bayern in '99 and how many times did Chelsea hit the woodwork yesterday?
Posted 22:21 22nd May 2008
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