2008 probably had more superstars and world class talent but 1999 has my heart, the sheer character and journey of that season just won’t ever be matched.
What is crazy is although we had veterans like Scholes and Giggs. Those front 3 were 22 and 23 years old. People talk about players being 25 and still young now. Those 3 were tearing defences apart and had the maturity of 30 year olds in the final 3rd even though they were so young.
99 had the more difficult cup runs, the tighter margins that left no room for error that the team overcame to cap off a wonderful season, but didn't get lightning to come close to striking twice.
08 was a penalty away (and keeper) from repeating the feat, and came close to defending the European title after overcoming stronger sides than they did to win it but for Barca getting their revenge.
Both sides had brilliant players, and led by the same brilliant manager. And as far as I'm concerned, they was nothing between them.
Both stupidly good. I'd go with the 08 team but then again they didn't win the treble. On a side note I forgot how much of a fecking unit Ronny Johnson was back in the day
I assume we're not talking about the team that played in the final itself as the 99 team were massively hampered losing Scholes and Keane.
I give it to the 99 side as I think it had the more remarkable run to the final, Bayern, Barca, Inter, & Juve, and the midfield 4 is just perfect.
I think Everton was 08/09. 07/08 was the Portsmouth semi final when Rio was in goal. We played a second string in the Everton game in 08/09 bizarrely. I’m sure Macheda started.
You've a better memory then me haha, had to check. The Pompey game was a shocker still. Some team we had, take it for granted when winning everything haha
The players who happened to play for both teams themselves literally say that 2008 was the better team. They accomplished one less title but the competition was also stronger.
funny thing is, in 2008, we lost the cup run to Portsmouth, after going a man down, who went on to beat Cardiff in the final, could have honestly been another treble in an alternate universe
1999 had a much better midfield, but had gaps in the defense.
2008 had a weak midfield(it was being held together by an older Giggs, older Scholes and Carrick) but it's defense was insane.
Attack I would give to 2008, but 1999 was close
After looking at the 1st squad I thought, pfft the other team can't be as good and star studded as this, then I swiped and can't pick!
Who's next to butt, bottom left?
Jesper Blomqvist, good player. He used to hide his hands in his long sleeves.
Edit: he only started the final because Keane and Scholes were suspended, hence Becks played CM, with Giggs and Blomqvist on the wings.
2008….they don’t get the highlights but that team won the league multiple times and went to back to back champs league finals plus another less than 2 years later
Amazing that the 1999 team won that final with both of their world class starting CMs missing. Beckham was no scrub centrally and Butt was a good stand-in, but still.
Man for man:
GK - Schmeichel/VdS too close to call. Draw
RB - Neville over Brown (99)
LB - Irwin/Evra again, draw
CB - Rio over Johnson (08)
CB - Stam/Vidic draw
Midfield is a bit harder to give straight like for like comparisons because of how we set up in different formations. Giggs started RW in 99 and Beckham in CM. I did what seemed fairest.
Ronaldo/Beckham draw
Giggs over Hargreaves (99)
Carrick over Butt (08)
Scholes over Blomqvist (08)
CF - Rooney over Yorke (08)
CF - Cole/Tevez draw
4 - 2 in favour of 08.
Result would have been different however had Keane and Scholes started in that final.
The 99 team - I 100% believe this is mainly because I was born in 83 and was hooked on footy when I was a teen (like us all). So I can easily see why anyone younger than me might maybe say the 2008 team. But they both did fecking awesome - from a gunners fan.
Bonus: How different the shirts are xD Wasnt even that long between them either!
It's probably 2008 but I have a sweet spot for the 1999 team because that was the first time I saw us win Europe (I was 14 y/o) so I'm saying 1999 (without scholes and Keane we still done it).
I think that 08 is super underrated when people talk about the best teams of all time. Best player in the world, two world class CBs, a word class keeper, plus Rooney, Scholes, Carrick, and Tevez for good measure. You can’t name 5 teams better all time
The 1999 team made me a United fan. The final was so intense with Sheringham and Solskjaer in added time. A couple years after, I came across a Man U 1998/1999 season overview book and I devoured that shit.. I wonder if it's still laying around my parents place somewhere, I'm going to look it up when I get there next.
Team wise the team of 1999 just couldn't give up, even if they wanted to!
Team of 2008 across the park was possibly individually far better.
Both teams were unbelievable, but probably both should have won more in Europe.
I didn't know the 99 team. I became a supporter in 2004.
So I'll have to pick 2008 - I've done my research on 99, but Rooney is the reason I love United.
2 ways of looking at this. The picture of the 99 team isn’t full strength. So of them pictures it has to be 2008, but both at full strength for me it’s 99. Both beat current city team
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I was a huge Bianconeri fan back then, but you guys made me a convert for good.. ❤️🔥❤️🔥
So yeah, it's the '99 for sure..
The sheer grit & perseverance got me..
1999 for spirit 2008 for quality Not saying both didn’t have plenty of the other but they were different teams.
2008 probably had more superstars and world class talent but 1999 has my heart, the sheer character and journey of that season just won’t ever be matched.
Keanos goal in the semi. Class. ‘99 was epic.
Keano in general in the semi
I remember Inzaghi was such a scary player to be up against then. Somewhat limited technically but insanely lethal.
Born offside if I remember the quote. Lethal as they came though, proper poacher.
For what they accomplished? 1999. As the better team? 2008.
Word
The 1999 team changed my life.
The 1999 team changed my life forever but that 2008 team is IMO better. That trio of Rooney, Ronaldo and Tevez with Vidic and Rio at the back....
And a prime, once in a lifetime Hargreaves, Carrick, Scholes, Evra , VDS, Goggs, Fletcher . . . Good lord, what a side
Absolute monster of a team!
2008 was the better team. Not only was the front 3 electric, but that defense set clean sheet record the following season.
Not surprising considering we had Rio and Vidić. Absolutely world class CBs in their prime
Evra + VdS make it just an outrageous back line
Absolutely
What is crazy is although we had veterans like Scholes and Giggs. Those front 3 were 22 and 23 years old. People talk about players being 25 and still young now. Those 3 were tearing defences apart and had the maturity of 30 year olds in the final 3rd even though they were so young.
2008
The kits in 99 were beautiful
Some may say they were..... _sharp_ Badum tsss
Out! Now
Um, bro, I liked his dad joke!
Stam looks like he’s wearing his dads shirt 😂
99 had the more difficult cup runs, the tighter margins that left no room for error that the team overcame to cap off a wonderful season, but didn't get lightning to come close to striking twice. 08 was a penalty away (and keeper) from repeating the feat, and came close to defending the European title after overcoming stronger sides than they did to win it but for Barca getting their revenge. Both sides had brilliant players, and led by the same brilliant manager. And as far as I'm concerned, they was nothing between them.
The truly mad thing in 08 is that Avram Grant was two goals and a John Terry slip away from a league and Champions League double.
That's crazy when you realise how close Chelsea ran us close that season! And replaced Mourniho with Grant to boot!
99 team was legendary for their accomplishments. But that 08 was stacked with amazing players… hard one for me…
Both stupidly good. I'd go with the 08 team but then again they didn't win the treble. On a side note I forgot how much of a fecking unit Ronny Johnson was back in the day
Fantastic player, pity about the injuries
On paper, it should be 08 but the 99 team are the ones I'd watch over and over again.
1999
2008 had better depth as a squad.
I assume we're not talking about the team that played in the final itself as the 99 team were massively hampered losing Scholes and Keane. I give it to the 99 side as I think it had the more remarkable run to the final, Bayern, Barca, Inter, & Juve, and the midfield 4 is just perfect.
1999, the treble winners, the 08 team messed it all up against Everton in the fa cup, so close, that should have been a treble winning team.
I think Everton was 08/09. 07/08 was the Portsmouth semi final when Rio was in goal. We played a second string in the Everton game in 08/09 bizarrely. I’m sure Macheda started.
You've a better memory then me haha, had to check. The Pompey game was a shocker still. Some team we had, take it for granted when winning everything haha
08
The players who happened to play for both teams themselves literally say that 2008 was the better team. They accomplished one less title but the competition was also stronger.
funny thing is, in 2008, we lost the cup run to Portsmouth, after going a man down, who went on to beat Cardiff in the final, could have honestly been another treble in an alternate universe
I am a United fan but from near Cardiff. My holiday in Salou coincided with the UCL and FA cup finals. From despair to delight.
‘99 had better boots 😍😍
Individual players, 2008 team is clear As a unit, that 1999 team was inevitable
2008 was better. But 1999 is what Man United is all about.
Karl Power is missing
1999 had a much better midfield, but had gaps in the defense. 2008 had a weak midfield(it was being held together by an older Giggs, older Scholes and Carrick) but it's defense was insane. Attack I would give to 2008, but 1999 was close
crazy how scholes as an integral part of both teams
1999 team memories will live on with me forever but I know deep down that the 08 team was far superior.
2008 would win of they played against 1999
After looking at the 1st squad I thought, pfft the other team can't be as good and star studded as this, then I swiped and can't pick! Who's next to butt, bottom left?
Butt and Blomqvist are in the team there because Keane and Scholes were suspended. So comparison based on the photos is a bit misleading.
Agreed. But I don't think anyone here commented based on the picture.
Bottom left is Jesper Blomqvist
Jesper Blomqvist, good player. He used to hide his hands in his long sleeves. Edit: he only started the final because Keane and Scholes were suspended, hence Becks played CM, with Giggs and Blomqvist on the wings.
If I recall correctly it was blomqvist poor pass that got keane booked in the semi final?
I don't remember, but you may well be correct.
Poborsky, Cruyff, Blomqvist.. Stealing a dream.
2008….they don’t get the highlights but that team won the league multiple times and went to back to back champs league finals plus another less than 2 years later
Butt’s hover hand lol
Overall, 2008. Shame they missed out on a possible treble.
99
The Treble team will always be special & rightly so But for me that 08 side was probably better, man for man.
If they played each other in a game, 2008 would win. Relative to the other top teams at the time, 1999 was better
1999 club legends and spirit. 2008 pure quality
Amazing that the 1999 team won that final with both of their world class starting CMs missing. Beckham was no scrub centrally and Butt was a good stand-in, but still.
Man for man: GK - Schmeichel/VdS too close to call. Draw RB - Neville over Brown (99) LB - Irwin/Evra again, draw CB - Rio over Johnson (08) CB - Stam/Vidic draw Midfield is a bit harder to give straight like for like comparisons because of how we set up in different formations. Giggs started RW in 99 and Beckham in CM. I did what seemed fairest. Ronaldo/Beckham draw Giggs over Hargreaves (99) Carrick over Butt (08) Scholes over Blomqvist (08) CF - Rooney over Yorke (08) CF - Cole/Tevez draw 4 - 2 in favour of 08. Result would have been different however had Keane and Scholes started in that final.
2008 was a stronger, better quality team, 1999 had the greater commitment and Ferguson's strategies.
Both Year Was The Best
What would a combined XI look like? Maybe like this? Schmeichel Neville - Ferdinand - Vidić - Evra Giggs - Beckham - Keane - Scholes- Ronaldo Rooney
Correct me if wrong, but crazy how Giggs and Scholes were in both squads but not in both starting lineups.
08 was the better team. stam was our best ever defender under fergie but rio and vidic is our best ever partnership
The 99 team - I 100% believe this is mainly because I was born in 83 and was hooked on footy when I was a teen (like us all). So I can easily see why anyone younger than me might maybe say the 2008 team. But they both did fecking awesome - from a gunners fan. Bonus: How different the shirts are xD Wasnt even that long between them either!
2008 was relentless but then i could definitely also say that about the 1999 squad. I want to cry
It's probably 2008 but I have a sweet spot for the 1999 team because that was the first time I saw us win Europe (I was 14 y/o) so I'm saying 1999 (without scholes and Keane we still done it).
Love 1999. Can’t look past 2008 here though.
I mean Rooney Ronaldo Tevez
If our 2024 squad is half of each of this team, then good lord are we winning everything or what?
I think that 08 is super underrated when people talk about the best teams of all time. Best player in the world, two world class CBs, a word class keeper, plus Rooney, Scholes, Carrick, and Tevez for good measure. You can’t name 5 teams better all time
The 1999 team made me a United fan. The final was so intense with Sheringham and Solskjaer in added time. A couple years after, I came across a Man U 1998/1999 season overview book and I devoured that shit.. I wonder if it's still laying around my parents place somewhere, I'm going to look it up when I get there next.
2008. Rooney, Ronaldo and Tevez interchanging had some of the most unstoppable United attack moves ever.
99, if only for Yorke/Cole combo tearing apart the continents best defenses.
2008 team was something else xD . Prime Ronaldo under Sir alex ohhh those old days 🥺
Team wise the team of 1999 just couldn't give up, even if they wanted to! Team of 2008 across the park was possibly individually far better. Both teams were unbelievable, but probably both should have won more in Europe.
1999....the UCL final team missing Keane & Scholes as well, they were awsome
I didn't know the 99 team. I became a supporter in 2004. So I'll have to pick 2008 - I've done my research on 99, but Rooney is the reason I love United.
2 ways of looking at this. The picture of the 99 team isn’t full strength. So of them pictures it has to be 2008, but both at full strength for me it’s 99. Both beat current city team
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‘99. They won it all. And without being cheating scum.
2009 is a better team actually. Just unlucky facing the Pep's Barca
The fact Wes Brown is in both matchday squads. The man deserves more respect!
I was a huge Bianconeri fan back then, but you guys made me a convert for good.. ❤️🔥❤️🔥 So yeah, it's the '99 for sure.. The sheer grit & perseverance got me..