A tribute to Teddy Sheringham at 60

It was a responsibility that must have been a daunting one, considering the way in which the Gallic genius was revered at Old Trafford, for being the catalyst in making all of the fans' dreams come true and ending the long wait for the league title.

As Alex Ferguson pondered his options, on the back of his talisman's bombshell retirement in 1997, Teddy Sheringham's availability alerted the shrewd Scot and the Tottenham Hotspur striker's desire to win a first major trophy proved a huge motivation in his quest to quit White Hart Lane.

On the day he turns 60, Sheringham's contribution to the Reds will never be underappreciated and, as a key driving force at the climax of the Treble-winning campaign in 1998/99, it is time to pay tribute to his talents once again.

It is always difficult for players associated with other big clubs, like Sheringham was with Spurs, when they join your team. The fact Teddy even returned to the north Londoners shows he did not burn his bridges with his former employers, and there was never any doubting his quality.

A year earlier, as the perfect foil to Alan Shearer, he had sparkled during Euro '96 with England, as Terry Venables's team came close to glory, and the man who scored the very first goal in a live Premier League game (for Nottingham Forest against Liverpool), had long since proved his pedigree in the top flight.

Yet, he was 31 when signing for United and some eyebrows were raised about the acquisition, while most supporters wondered how on earth we were ever going to manage without Cantona's colossal influence.

It was not the perfect start, far from it. On the opening weekend of the 1997/98 season, he missed a penalty at Spurs, much to the home fans' amusement, even if we would go on to win with a couple of late goals. 

A first strike for his new club came before August was out, though, away to Everton, and, by October, he had hit a purple patch in front of goal.

The goals dried up, though, and Arsenal, of all teams as far as Sheringham was concerned, completed the Double under Arsene Wenger.

Teddy managed to net in the cups but, following the start of 1998, he had to wait until 10 May, by getting on the scoresheet against Barnsley, to register in the division, with the fierce competition for places making life difficult for him.

He did bag the opening goal of the most incredible campaign in our history, 1998/99, but was largely a peripheral figure as the assault on three fronts started to materialise.

Many will be scratching their heads when they hear he only scored two league goals all season, a fact that still seems hard to fathom.

Mercilessly mocked by the Gunners' fans at the FA Cup semi-final, a pivotal point in our history, their declaration that he went to Man United and won, well nothing, was ringing around Villa Park for both contests.

Of course, United won the replay, thanks to Ryan Giggs's wonder goal, and Teddy was involved unlike the first tie, which ended in a 0-0 draw.

The cultured operator provided the assist for David Beckham's opener, with a delicate nudge into his international colleague's path. His time was coming.

However, the striker was withdrawn at half-time of the crucial final Premier League game, against his old club, Spurs. Andy Cole came on and lobbed the winner, to clinch the title. One down, two to go.

A week later, there was the frustration of being benched again, for the FA Cup final against Newcastle United. With Roy Keane lost to injury only nine minutes in, Teddy stepped into the limelight. Combining brilliantly with Paul Scholes, he opened the scoring within a couple of minutes.

In the second half, he turned provider to superbly tee up Scholes for the clincher. United now stood on the brink of history, beat Bayern Munich in Barcelona and we would become the first-ever English side to do the Treble.

Despite Teddy's contribution at Wembley, Ferguson opted for Cole and Dwight Yorke to lead the attack, on a ground where they had dazzled in the group stages. 

Sheringham replaced Jesper Blomqvist on 67 minutes, as we chased an equaliser, with Ole Gunnar Solskjaer entering the fray for the final nine minutes. With time nearly up, and Peter Schmeichel throwing caution to the wind by adding his substantial presence to the Bayern box from a corner, when the ball was partially cleared, Giggs returned it into the danger zone.

Swivelling, Sheringham scuffed past Oliver Kahn and the United fans erupted. Seconds later, as you all know, Sheringham threw himself at another Beckham corner, and Solskjaer provided the finishing touch. A goal and assist for Teddy. The UEFA Champions League and the Treble for United.

Hero status was attained for the England international. He had actually gone to Man United and won the lot.

More was to follow. Another league title in 1999/2000, by an astonishing 18-point margin. Although he finished the season well, and hit an important equaliser against runners-up Arsenal earlier in the campaign, it is fair to say the Reds fans still had not really seen the very best of this classy centre-forward.

On an individual level, that was to come in his final year at the club - 2000/01.

Another title, three on the spin, and 15 goals in only 29 league games emphasised his much-improved output.

Like a fine wine maturing with age, he scored 21 times in all competitions, including five in the Champions League. The evergreen performer was named PFA Players' Player of the Year and scooped the Football Writers' prize too.

It was the perfect way to sign off from Old Trafford, heading back to Spurs and proving his longevity by going on to represent Portsmouth and West Ham United, and becoming the Premier League's oldest outfield player and scorer.

Teddy Sheringham's swagger, confidence and class came to the fore when United needed it most, with all of our dreams on a knife-edge. If it was a gamble to sign him, it was one that paid off hugely.

Happy 60th birthday, Teddy! We remain eternally grateful for the contribution to the cause.