May 26, 1999, will forever be etched in Manchester United history. Sir Alex Ferguson’s most successful side, who picked up a league and cup double the week previous, were trailing 1-0 to Bayern Munich. The fans’ dreams of a unique treble were fading until two substitutions were made that would change the face of the club forever. Teddy Sheringham and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer replaced Jesper Blomqvist and Andy Cole. If Solskjaer is remembered for the knockout blow, it was Sheringham that gave United the lifeline.
Sheringham arrived as a underwhelming signing, considering United had parted company with fan favourite Eric Cantona. Everyone knew the Englishman had quality, but Cantona’s aura was almost irreplaceable. The only player back then that could fittingly replace the Frenchman was the Brazilian Ronaldo, who joined Inter Milan for £19.5 million. Sheringham, on the other hand, cost £3.5 million but went on to give United fans one of the greatest nights of their life at Camp Nou.
The London-born forward made his United debut on the opening day of the 1997-98 season at White Hart Lane, coincidentally after leaving Tottenham Hotspur. He would have to wait for three games before scoring his first goal for the club — against Everton at Goodison Park in a 2-0 win.
Arsenal were crowned champions that season pipping United by just one point. It was the Gunners’ first full season under French manager Arsene Wenger, who became the third manager to win the Premier League, following in the footsteps of Ferguson and Kenny Dalglish. That made Wenger the first manager from outside the British Isles to win the league title in England.
Moreover, Sheringham’s first season at Old Trafford would end up empty handed. He scored 14 goals in 42 appearances, but it wasn’t enough. That summer Sheringham would go to the 1998 World Cup in France, where Glenn Hoddle’s side reached the last 16 of the tournament.
While the 1997-98 was one to forget, what was to follow would be beyond belief.
Ferguson knew how to react to a setback. Whether it be a loss, the departing of a player or not delivering silverware; the Scot expected a reaction from his squad. The club dipped into the transfer market luring foreign internationals such as Jaap Stam from PSV Eindhoven, Jasper Blomqvist of Parma, and Aston Villa striker Dwight Yorke.
Andy Cole and Yorke would go on to form a formidable partnership (52 goals between them in all competitions) up front which would inevitably see Sheringham’s chances limited. He made seven league starts and just two in the Champions League.
For a player becoming frustrated with the lack of playing time after falling down the pecking order, Sheringham was about the enter the fold in some style.
Before facing Juventus in the semi-final of the Champions League, United had another semi-final but in the FA Cup against Arsenal. Cole and Yorke started the first game which ended 0-0, then it was Sheringham and Solskjaer who started the reply. Thanks to an assist from Sheringham, David Beckham scored the opener before Dennis Bergkamp equalised through a deflected shot. Following a lunge on Marc Overmars, Roy Keane was sent off, so, in an attempt to cling on against a rampant Arsenal, Ferguson brought on Paul Scholes to replace Sheringham.
One goal, one assist on that famous night in Barcelona. 🏆🏆🏆
Still, though, Sheringham endured celebrations at full time as United reached the FA Cup final. United fans have Patrick Vieira partly to thank for that after a lazy cross-field pass found Ryan Giggs, who waved in and out of Tony Adams, Martin Keown, Lee Dixon and Vieria, before sending the ball past David Seaman.
United went on to win the league and FA Cup but what remained was the biggest prize in club football. Ferguson started the final against Bayern Munich with Cole and York up top; however, it wouldn’t be long before Sheringham graced the Camp Nou turf to cement his name in United history.
The Premier League and FA Cup champions were dominated by the German champions, which wasn't helped by the Reds missing both Keane and Scholes in midfield.
Sheringham and Solskjaer were brought on in the second half which is known as Ferguson’s finest hour. As the clock ticked past the 90th minute, hope was diminishing and the European Cup was being decorated in Bayern Munich colours.
But then David Beckham stood up to take a corner… From Yorke sending the ball back in, to it being cleared to the edge of the box, Bayern’s defence turned into a frenzy, and it wasn’t long before Ryan Giggs’ scuffed shot fell into the path of Sheringham, who was able to guide the ball past Oliver Khan. The German goalkeeper immediately shouted for offside but the officials awarded the goal.
Fast forward two minutes from the equaliser, and Beckham delivered another corner before Sheringham flicked on at the near post for Solskjaer to win it at the very end. United had won, the treble was complete, and Ferguson achieved a feat that has never been seen in England, nor has it been done since.
Sheringham would remain at United for a further two seasons when he then departed Old Trafford a hero. He was brought in as a replacement for Cantona but managed to leave his own mark on the club, winning Ferguson’s first ever Champions League.
