A great clip of the Manchester United dressing room after one of the most famous wins in the clubs’ history.
April 21st, 1999. A date that few Manchester United fans will ever forget.
The team are playing away to Juventus in the second leg of their Champions League semi-final and are trailing 2-0 on the night, 3-1 on aggregate, as the clock ticks down to half-time. It appears the chances of a historic treble are gone.
Up steps Roy Keane, guiding home a header to reduce the deficit and set the team on their way to an incredible comeback.
Dwight Yorke and Andy Cole got the goals after half-time and sent United through to the Champions League final against Bayern Munich in Barcelona. Where they won the trophy for the first time in 31 years, securing victory with two goals in stoppage time.
However, their captain picked up a booking against Juventus that ruled him out of the final. Keane was still immense in the Juventus game after collecting the yellow card, putting in a performance that has become legendary. He earned the highest praise from his manager.
“The implications of that yellow card were drastic,” Alex Ferguson wrote in his first autobiography.
“If we qualified for the final in Barcelona, suspension would make Roy a spectator. I didn’t think I could have a higher opinion of any footballer than I already had of the Irishman but he rose even further in my estimation at the Stadio Delle Alpi. The minute he was booked and out of the final, he seemed to redouble his efforts to get the team there.
“It was the most emphatic display of selflessness I have seen on a football field. Pounding over every blade of grass, competing as if he would rather die of exhaustion than lose, he inspired all around him. I felt it was an honour to be associated with such a player. When he leapt to meet a Beckham corner and headed in our first goal, it was if his will had given the ball no choice but to land in the net.”
In this video of the team’s dressing room straight after the famous win, the players are in buoyant mood.
Club legend Bobby Charlton joins the celebrations with players such as David Beckham, Ryan Giggs and Dennis Irwin, while Alex Ferguson looks absolutely delighted as he personally congratulates his team.
Keane and Paul Scholes, the other player suspended for the final, appear more muted though.
You can watch the video here:
