Manchester United squad celebrate winning the FA Cup in 1999

#Treble99: How we won the FA Cup final

Wednesday 22 May 2019 08:00

It is 20 years ago to the day since Manchester United won the FA Cup to take another step towards sealing a first-ever Treble in 1999.

Alex Ferguson's Reds took on Newcastle United at Wembley, soon after landing the Premier League title by beating Tottenham at Old Trafford on the final day.

With the upcoming Champions League final against Bayern Munich in his thoughts, the manager shuffled his pack for the game against a Magpies side spearheaded by England star Alan Shearer.

Jaap Stam was not risked due to an Achilles problem, while Paul Scholes and Roy Keane started due to their European ban, which ruled them out of the game at the Nou Camp.

Paul Scholes's goal proved to be the clincher in the 2-0 victory at Wembley.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer got the nod to play in attack with Andy Cole, with Phil Neville replacing suspended left-back Denis Irwin.

An early injury to captain Keane led to Teddy Sheringham being introduced off the bench and Solskjaer reverting to a wide role in midfield, with the substitute quickly making an impact. Scholes set Sheringham up for a clinical finish past Steve Harper to put the Reds ahead.

Sheringham returned the favour in the 53rd minute by assisting Scholes for a second goal which underlined the champions' superiority on the day.

"It may sound strange but I never felt under pressure or that we'd ever lose that game," said David May, who was excellent at centre-back.

"That seems a bit blase or whatever but I never thought it was one we would ever lose against Newcastle.

"We'd just won the league and we were flying and full of confidence. The manager had to change a couple of places and Keaney got injured early on after a challenge from Gary Speed. He came off for Teddy and, within a couple of minutes, Scholesy put Teddy through and we were 1-0 up.

"From then on, it was never in any doubt. Scholesy got the second goal and we were just enjoying the game. You could actually almost sit back and enjoy it, taking in the whole atmosphere of being in a cup final and being very, very comfortable. 

David May and Peter Schmeichel celebrate in the Wembley dressing room.

"I can't remember Peter [Schmeichel] making many saves. I'd played against Alan Shearer a few times and was at Blackburn with him. He was a fantastic centre-forward but I'm not sure he had many chances. He was one of the best and most prolific goalscorers in the Premier League but we kept him quiet and limited his chances.

"I think Temur Ketsbaia hit a post but I think I would have cleared it off the line probably anyway. It was great - I played well and we kept a clean sheet, which is all you want to do in a cup final. I had played in another one, in 1996 against Liverpool, and did the same job."

A league and FA Cup double had been secured - the club's third since 1994 - with one more huge challenge still to come in Barcelona.

Tickets for the Treble Reunion match against Bayern Munich on Sunday, in aid of the Manchester United Foundation, are available to buy online or by calling 0161 868 800.

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