26 May, 1999. Perhaps not a date etched in the minds of many people, but for followers of Manchester United, it was the day history was made.
With the English Premier League title already in the bag, secured on the final day of the league season in a 2-1 victory over Tottenham Hotspur, and the FA Cup on board too thanks to a 2-0 cup final victory over Newcastle United, the final Wednesday of May ’99 was when Manchester United could secure the much coveted treble.
The UEFA Champions League (formerly known as the European Cup) is where the European footballing elite battle it out every year for one of the sport’s major prizes. Manchester United hadn’t won Europe’s top football trophy in decades, so winning the 1999 final was special enough in itself. The manner in which they did it was extra special.
One-nil down against Bayern Munich in injury time in front of some 90,000 fans, and the game is all but over. But hold on, up pop Teddy Sheringham and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer to score two goals late on for Manchester United and achieve what was, and still is, the most successful season in English football history.
Manchester United won the top European trophy again in 2008, beating Chelsea in the final. They reached the final again the following year, however on this occasion, they lost to Barcelona.
Nevertheless, ‘The Red Devils’, as United are colloquially known, are one of the most decorated clubs in history. Moreover, not only are they the richest club in football, they are the richest and most valuable club in any sport across the globe, with their total worth well exceeding the billion pound mark.
Though tickets for a Manchester United Premier League match are like gold dust, anyone visiting this city could time their trip to coincide with an FA Cup or League Cup match, as tickets are more readily available for games not covered by season tickets. In a stadium that can accommodate around 80,000 spectators, there’s a good chance of a ticket being available for one of the earlier-round matches.
Even for those not able to make it to a match, the stadium is still worth a visit. Known as the ‘Theatre of Dreams’, Manchester United’s Old Trafford stadium has a five-star rating by UEFA and is the only football stadium in the UK to hold this status. The club’s illustrious past is on show in the museum through an impressive array of trophies and photos, whilst visitors also get the chance to walk through the players’ tunnel and marvel at the ground from the sidelines.
The whole of the city is a footballing Mecca, with its neighbours Manchester City among the wealthiest clubs in the world, although their success is a little more stifled. If you time your trip well and book a Manchester hotel in a prime location, then you’re sure to have a fantastic time in this great city, home to one of the world’s most famous football clubs.
Paul Buchanan writes for a digital marketing agency. This article has been commissioned by a client of said agency. This article is not designed to promote, but should be considered professional content.
Did you not think it was funny that during the Manchester United game today?
All the chanting from the Manchester United fans had a right Mancunian accent to it.
I was under the impression that all us Manchester United fans live anywhere but Manchester
@ Luke my LOCAL team IS Manchester United.
Answer
HAHA!
Love it 
Love Manc accents…I may spend 6 weeks in Manchester come to think of it, get my accent out and about 
If you wish to go on a tour of the Manchester United Stadium at Old Trafford then visit the booking site to check availability.
