Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
FourFourTwo
FourFourTwo
Sport
Chris Flanagan

‘At no point did I think we’d lost 1999 Champions League Final – we’d scored in injury time a few times that season. What was surprising was scoring twice!’: Peter Schmeichel relives Manchester United's miraculous victory

21 Apr 1999: Manchester United keeper Peter Schmeichel celebrates a goal in the UEFA Champions League semi-final second leg match against Juventus at the Stadio delle Alpi in Turin, Italy. United won 3-2 on the night to go through 4-3 on aggregate. \ Mandatory Credit: Allsport UK /Allsport.

Peter Schmeichel’s final game for Manchester United was in the 1999 Champions League Final – and he couldn’t have chosen a better way to bow out.

Schmeichel won five Premier League titles during eight years at the club, but the Champions League had always been Sir Alex Ferguson’s biggest dream.

Manchester United reached a Champions League final for the first time at the end of the famous 1998-99 season, when they pitted to face Bayern Munich at Barcelona’s Camp Nou.

VIDEO: Why Matthijs De Ligt Is A Game Changer For Ten Hag's Man United

Mario Basler’s free-kick put Bayern in front after only six minutes, and the Germans held the lead all the way to stoppage time.

The Red Devils kept going though, having been renowned for late goals in what became known as ‘Fergie Time’.

“The game wasn’t great, but when Alex Ferguson changed the system and made substitutions, we started to play a bit better, Bayern started to tire and we created opportunities,” Schmeichel exclusively tells FourFourTwo.

Solskjaer's winner in the final

“At no point did we think we’d lost – I always thought there’d be a chance we could get back into it. We were trying to get to extra-time. We’d scored in injury time quite a few times that season, what was surprising was scoring the second goal in that same period!”

Schmeichel went forward himself for the corner that led to Manchester United’s equaliser, when Teddy Sheringham fired home from close range. Two minutes later, Sheringham flicked on another David Beckham corner, and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer poked home an incredible winner.

United celebrating the trophy

“If there’s an ultimate way to win a game, that’s the way – although I wouldn’t recommend you trying it!” Schmeichel laughs.

“Over the years, it’s felt like everybody in the world saw that final, lived those three minutes and has a story to tell. That’s why that night is more alive to me than anything else I’ve ever done in my life.”

Schmeichel was speaking in association with Frank’s RedHot Sauce

More Manchester United stories

Manchester United aiming to replace Old Trafford with a new 100,000-seater stadium

Harry Redknapp exclusive: ‘These days managers are relying on a head of recruitment’s judgement. No one used to sign players for Sir Alex’

'He just threw the towel in... He should be contributing, running around with enthusiasm and helping his teammates': Graeme Souness SLAMS Manchester United star over attitude

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.