No longer the only one, Man United's great treble of the 1998-1999 season is only parallel to the achievement of Man City. Pep's army is powerful, Pep's army is great, but for those who remember, the treble of Ferguson and his students still holds a special affection.
Man United's treble in 1998-1999 was still very special.
First time feeling
Who was the first man on the moon? And who was the second? Who was the first to travel that distance in four minutes? And who did it after that? Obviously, it's easier to remember the first than the second.
These people are still remembered despite the challenges of time.
Or take an example to express your feelings more easily. First love is always the most passionate love, like "The first flowers of the season are always beautiful/The first sunshine of the season is always intoxicating"!
We are taking the example of the first treble of an English team – Man United and the magical season of 1998-1999.
United's case is unique. They are also the first English team to reach a European Cup final in 14 years, although that includes a five-year ban following the Heysel disaster in 1985. They are the first team to win the trophy since Liverpool in 1984.
There was only one first and while Man City have now done it, they have done it brilliantly, but they are not a pioneering force.
Pep and his players have reached sporting immortality – so why are so many people so indifferent? Simply put, they have fallen in love with Man United.
Through the danger
Why do people like to seek adventure, crave to conquer challenges? Because it pushes away the beaten path and to “find a great self”. It is intertwined with conflicting emotions. And when overcome, oh my!, the emotions are so overwhelming.
The final between Man United and Bayern Munich is like a blockbuster movie
There is a certain prickly feeling to be had from Ferguson and his men's 1998-99 campaign. They had to come from behind more than once, but they only won the Premier League by a single point over Arsenal, who slipped up in their penultimate game, losing to Leeds United.
In the Champions League final, the “Red Devils” let Bayern lead until the 90th minute. The little time left was just a dream of a miracle. And the miracle appeared, two goals in a few dozen seconds – a classic escape from the dead.
Man United in the 1998-1999 season never produced the beautiful, aesthetically perfect football that Man City played, destroying the king of Germany, the king of Europe. But the machine-like perfection that Pep and his students just created left little space and time for dreaming.
Looking at Man City now, you will feel that miracles will not be strange, Pep is still here, the blue half of Manchester can still repeat the miracle next year and the year after. What they lack is the absence of adventure - the material for people to feel and vibrate strongly towards a certain group.
Magical moments
What sticks in your memory after the match between Juventus and Leverkusen? Yes, Juventus won the title. But what was the moment that made you explode with emotion, love this match? It was Zidane's classic volley.
Football is like that, life is like that. In the chaos of information sources, of too many details, we still retain and cannot forget the magical moments. Those are the moments that make us explode and make us love football more.
Man United's 1998-1999 treble was beautiful and loved by many people, thanks to a magical moment.
Ryan Giggs celebrates after his classic solo goal against Arsenal.
Anyone born in the 70s and 80s remembers the exciting match between Man United and Arsenal in the FA Cup semi-final.
In a situation of being short-handed, being pressured by the opponent. Just “escaped” after Dennis Bergkamp missed a penalty kick. And then, the “earth-shattering” story appeared.
In the 109th minute of extra time, Ryan Giggs made a solo run from his own half, like an arrow eliminating four red shirts before shooting past goalkeeper David Seaman to seal the 2-1 score for Manchester United.
Recalling the match, coach Arsene Wenger said he was still haunted by the celebration of the MU players. He said: "I can still hear the screams of the MU players. No one believed they could win with only 10 men."
Man United were in the most difficult position, overcoming the team that was their biggest rival and when they won the match with a spectacular solo performance like Ryan Giggs, everyone understood how the Manucians felt - truly overwhelmed.
We will not get into debates: "Man City 2022-2023 or Man United 1998-1999 - which team is the best", because all comparisons are lame and do not help us have an atmosphere of enjoyment.
Instead, let's distinguish between love on each side, love Man United or Man City, you give the basis to prove. And we have just done the job for the red half of Manchester.
Manchester is turning blue with Pep and his players celebrating their title triumph. We are happy for them. But in many homes, when you knock on the door, the TV screen will be playing magical footage from 24 years ago.
Yes, Man United's treble is still much loved!.
Thang Nguyen
Photo source: Internet
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