Manchester United won the 1999 Champions League final, beating Bayern Munich at Camp Nou, courtesy of a late winner by Ole Gunner Solskjær, which not only won them UCL but also helped United win the treble that 19998/99 season, thereby becoming the first English club to win a European treble.
Utd did not start the final as they would have liked to, as they trailed Bayern very early on after Mario Basler put the German club in front in just the 6th minute of the game. Utd had their chances to get back into the game; however, the goal eluded them.
Sir Alex Ferguson then made two substitutions that would in the end prove to be inspirational changes by the manager. He got on Teddy Sheringham on for Blomqvist in the 67th minute and Solskjaer on for Cole in the 81st minute.
As fate would have it, it was Sheringham who scored in the 91st minute, and then Solskjær scored the winner in the 93rd minute, both in injury time to give Utd a famous win and their first European trophy in the UEFA Champions League era.
That legendary United team went on to win more silverware, dominating the Premier League for years to come. However, now all the United players of that side have gone on to different roles, mostly all of them in football.
The goalkeeper Peter Schmeichel, controversially, ended his playing career at United’s bitter rivals Man City and now works as a television pundit for various football broadcast companies.
After his not-so-successful stint as the Valencia manager, right-back Gary Neville is now a full-time pundit at Sky Sports and is also the co-owner of Salford City.
Centre-back Ronny Johnson retired in 2008 after brief spells with Villa and Newcastle post his United career.
Centre-back Jaap Stam went on to have a successful career after his time at United, joining AC Milan in Italy and then Ajax in the Netherlands, after which he moved on to become manager of Reading and Feyenoord.
Left-back Denis Irwin would be regarded as one of Ferguson’s greatest signings at United. He would end his playing career at Wolves and then go on to become a Man Utd club ambassador.
Right-wing Ryan Giggs retired in 2014 and became the interim manager of United, then was appointed the assistant to Louis Van Gaal. Giggs would go on to manage Wales from 2018 to 2022. He is also the co-owner of Salford City.
Midfielder Nicky Butt would return to United after his playing days as the head of their famous academy. After leaving that role Butt is now the co-owner and board member of Salford City.
Star midfielder David Beckham would go on to play for LA Galaxy in the MLS, then have stints with AC Milan, and then a move to PSG. Beckham is now the owner of MLS franchise Inter Miami. Beckham recently received Knighthood from King Charles III for his contributions to sports and charity.
Left-winger Jesper Blomqvist was signed as Giggs’ cover when the Welshman was struggling with injuries at United. But injuries themselves hampered Blomqvist’s career at United. After retiring in 2010, he would go on to own a Pizza restaurant in Stockholm, and also works as a football pundit for Swedish television.
Forward Dwight Yorke was one of the most important players at United in the 98/99 season, scoring 29 goals in all competitions. Yorke would have stints at Blackburn, Birmingham and Sunderland before retiring in 2009. Yorke was also a television pundit. Yorke is currently the manager of the Trinidad and Tobago national team.
Forward Andy Cole would build up a solid strike partnership with Yorke at United. After retiring, he would go on to have coaching stints. Cole now works as a pundit for various broadcasters and is also a club ambassador at United, and is also the founder of the ‘Andy Cole Fund’ for kidney research in the UK.
After retiring, Teddy Sheringham would go on to work as a manager at Stevenage and famously as the manager of ATK FC in ISL season 4. Sheringham now works as a football speaker and analyst.
After his playing days with United, Solskjaer would go on to manage FC Molde twice, either side of a spell at Cardiff City. However, when Jose Mourinho was sacked in 2018 as the Man Utd manager, Solskjaer became the interim boss. The famous comeback victory against PSG under him would help Solskjaer secure the United manager’s post on a full-time basis. He was, however, sacked in 2021. Ole would become the manager of Turkish club Besiktas from January to August 2025. He is currently not managing any team.
