A host of Man United legends took to the red carpet last week to premiere Friday’s release of Amazon Prime’s new documentary ’99, which details one of the greatest achievements in the club’s history.
During the 1998-99 season, Sir Alex Ferguson‘s side pulled off a then-unprecedented Treble, winning the Premier League, FA Cup and Champions League, and becoming the first English side to do so.
Since then, local rivals Manchester City have also pulled off the seismic feat, doing so last season, yet United’s success undeniably remains one of the greatest achievements in the history of English football.
Many of the members of that great United squad remain in the spotlight but some have retreated into a more modest life.
Here, Mail Sport looks at the players who made history and where they are now.
United’s 1999 side took to the red carpet to premiere the new Amazon Prime documentary
The three-part docu-film, released on May 17, tells the ‘definitive’ story of their Treble glory
There is some great archive footage, including Sir Alex Ferguson at the Cliff training ground
Peter Schmeichel
This man-mountain of a goalkeeper was the foundation of Ferguson’s all-conquering team.
A big personality and and huge presence between the sticks, the Dane is regarded as United’s greatest ever stopper and one of the finest in the history of the game.
Peter Schmeichel could easily have gone into management after retiring but instead has worked as a television pundit and is an ambassador for United, while he has also tried his hand at after-dinner speaking.
Former goalkeeper Peter Schmeichel (above) appeared at the red carpet event last Thursday
The ex-Denmark international is widely considered the club’s greatest shot-stopper of all time
Raimond van der Gouw
The back-up keeper during the Treble-winning campaign, Raimond van der Gouw made only a handful of appearances as he played understudy to the imperious Schmeichel.
The Dutchman moved into coaching after retiring in 2007 and has previously operated as a goalkeeping coach at PSV Eindhoven’s and Shakhtar Donetsk.
The Dutchman spent 11 years in the same role at Vitesse and also had a two-year spell at Sunderland after being brought in by former United team-mate Roy Keane.
Back-up goalkeeper Raimond van der Gouw has gone into coaching in recent years
The Dutchman was Man United’s second choice between the sticks during the Treble season
Gary Neville
As one of the most prominent figures in English football, you’d be hard-pressed to find someone who doesn’t recognise this man.
Younger football fans may not be fully aware that he was one of the best right-backs in the country and a key figure for United after graduating from the Class of 92.
Gary Neville continued playing for United until 2011 and has gone on to become one of the most respected football pundits in the country, predominantly working for Sky Sports.
He had a brief and unsuccessful foray into management coaching Valencia after working as an assistant for England, while also becoming co-owner of League Two club Salford.
Neville has invested in a number of businesses and recently began making guest appearances on Dragons’ Den.
Gary Neville is well-recognised as one of the best football pundits currently in the game
The 49-year-old held down the right-back position for over a decade at Manchester United
Neville helps paint the picture of how Man United’s Treble could have easily fallen apart
Denis Irwin
An underrated and reliable presence at left-back, Denis Irwin has to go down as one of Ferguson’s greatest pieces of business.
The full-back was cruelly denied the chance of playing in the 1999 FA Cup final for a harsh sending off against Liverpool but was brilliant in the Champions League final against Bayern.
His former team-mates never fail to wax lyrical about just how important he was to this team.
Irwin is another who has taken up an ambassadorial for United while working as a presenter on United’s in-house MUTV channel and appearing as a pundit on Irish network RTE.
In 2016, he was also inducted into the English Football Hall of Fame.
Denis Irwin is widely considered one of the best full-backs to have played for Man United
The defender has since gone into punditry and has also been working in an ambassadorial role
Jaap Stam
Jaap Stam was the rock at the centre of United’s Treble-winning defence and one of the most formidable players Old Trafford has seen.
He was named UEFA Club Best Defender of the Year for his performances in Europe and was included in the Premier League Team of the Season.
Jaap Stam was famously sold to Lazio in 2001, a decision which Ferguson later branded his biggest regret, and went on to play at an elite level for many years.
He moved into management after playing and has been in charge at Reading, PEC Zwolle, Feyenoord and FC Cincinnati which ended in 2021. He now coaches DOS Kampen in the sixth tier of Dutch football.
Jaap Stam was the rock at the centre of Manchester United’s Treble-winning defences
Sir Alex Ferguson once claimed that selling him was his biggest regret as Man United boss
He moved into management after playing and worked at Reading, PEC Zwolle and Feyenoord
Wes Brown
Back in 1999, Wes Brown was the latest academy sensation, with United holding high hopes that he could become a star centre-back.
That glittering season was his breakthrough campaign, making 21 first team appearances in all competitions.
Brown went on to play for United until 2011 and started in their second Champions League triumph in 2008, assisting Cristiano Ronaldo’s opening goal.
He retired in 2017 and is now a pundit for MUTV. His wife, Leanne, found fame in the reality TV series, The Real Housewives of Cheshire.
Brown was declared bankrupt last year following a HMRC petition, breaking his silence on the ordeal in April.
Wes Brown was the latest academy sensation to turn out for Manchester United’s first-team
Brown went on to play for United until 2011 and started in the Champions League final in 2008
Ronny Johnsen
Another underrated member of the squad, this versatile Norwegian was the second figure of United’s key centre-back duo.
He started the Champions League final and covered the central midfield position in in their away win over Juventus in the semi-final.
Ronny Johnsen has served as a club ambassador and experienced coach, having held positions with Norwegian lower league club Nik Tonsberg.
He has also worked as a pundit for Norwegian channel TV2.
Ronny Johnsen has served as a club ambassador and experienced coaching with Norwegian lower league club Nik Tonsberg
The defender played his part during the 1998-99 season at the back alongside Stam
David May
This centre-back saw little action until Ferguson began to rotate towards the end of the season in response to mounting fixture congestion.
He started the FA Cup final and is well remembered for the way in which he led the celebrations after the dramatic Champions League final win.
David May has dabbled in coaching, while he is now an avid fisher and regularly shows off pictures of his recent catches.
He also remains a regular co-host on Man United’s official podcast and has conducted multiple interviews with club legends both past and present.
David May dabbled in coaching, but is an avid fisher and often shows off snaps of his catches
He was a lively presence in the dressing room and featured more as the 98-99 season went on
Henning Berg
This Norwegian defender was limited to 16 top flight appearances following the arrival of Stam.
He also missed both finals due to injury but had been involved enough in the earlier rounds to pick up the medals.
Henning Berg moved into management in 2005 after retiring the year before. He has since had a nomadic career in the dugout, with eight different managerial roles across five countries.
He’s now in charge of Swedish side AIK.
Henning Berg is currently in charge of Swedish side AIK, having also managed Blackburn
Berg’s first team action was limited after the arrival of Stam but he still played his part
Phil Neville
Usually overshadowed by his brother but an unsung hero of the Treble year, Neville played in 44 matches across all competitions.
He would continue playing for United, amassing 383 appearances, before moving to Everton later in his career. Neville captained the Toffees and made 303 appearances for the Merseyside outfit.
Since retiring Neville has gone into coaching and management. He was a member of David Moyes’ backroom team at United before taking charge of England Women and then David Beckham’s Inter Miami.
He’s now the boss of the Portland Timbers and remains a co-owner of Salford City with his brother.
Since his retirement, Phil Neville has become a manager, working with the Portland Timbers
Neville played over 40 matches during that season and was somewhat of an unsung hero
David Beckham
This first midfielder needs no introduction.
While he may be one of the most famous faces on earth we shouldn’t forget that he was a top drawer player too, ending the year as runner-up for the Ballon d’Or.
Beckham’s crossing and iconic free-kicks were a hallmark of the campaign as English football’s poster boy silenced his critics after that infamous red card in the World Cup the previous summer.
In all he contributed nine goals and 18 assists delivering both corners which led to United’s stoppage-time goals against Bayern Munich.
A vital equaliser against Tottenham on the final day of the season was a particular highlight, as were his deliveries for both stoppage-time goals against Bayern Munich.
You could write a dissertation on what David Beckham’s been up to since hanging up his boots.
Becoming a brand of his own, Beckham is the face of numerous companies while acting as an ambassador for UNICEF and the UK itself.
Now worth somewhere in the region of £400-500million, Beckham is now owner of MLS franchise Inter Miami where he has managed to sign the likes of Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez.
David Beckham is one of the most iconic faces on the planet – and he was a top player too
Beckham’s superb efforts that season saw him finish second in the Ballon d’Or rankings
Jonathan Greening
Jonathan Greening was signed from York in the summer prior and hardly featured as he faced competition from more established players in his position.
He admitted he was somewhat embarrassed to pick up a Champions League winners medal despite not playing a minute in the competition, though he was on the bench for the final.
The attacking midfielder enjoyed a successful top flight career with the likes of Middlesbrough, West Brom and Fulham after leaving United.
He has since cut his teeth in management and guided Scarborough Athletic to promotion to the National League North last season where they currently sit sixth.
Jonathan Greening was signed from York in the summer prior and hardly featured
He admitted he was somewhat embarrassed to pick up a Champions League winners medal
Ryan Giggs
Another man who’d do well to walk down the street without getting noticed, this electric winger’s season was somewhat hampered by injury.
But he still left his mark on it with big moments in big games, his iconic solo winning goal in the FA Cup semi-final against Arsenal the pick of the bunch.
He also bagged a 90th minute equaliser in the home leg of the Champions League semi-final against Juventus before setting up Teddy Sheringham’s equaliser in the final.
Having spent time as a coach at United, Ryan Giggs was Wales boss for four years between 2018-2022.
However, in 2021 he was charged with assault causing actual bodily harm to his ex-girlfriend Kate Greville and common assault against her sister, Emma, along with coercive and controlling behaviour against Kate. He denied the charges and was later cleared of the allegations.
Ryan Giggs was hampered by injuries during the 1998-99 season but still left his mark
He also bagged a 90th minute equaliser in the home leg of the Champions League semi-final against Juventus before setting up Teddy Sheringham’s equaliser
Jordi Cruyff
Son of a Dutch footballing icon, this attacking midfielder scored two goals in 11 games during the first half of the season but had the misfortune of being loaned out to Celta Vigo in January and missing out on all the glory that followed.
Jordi Cruyff has spent his time post-retirement making his name as a football executive and manager.
He received praise for his time with Cypriot outfit AEK Larnaca and Israeli side Maccabi Tel Aviv as sporting director.
He then had managerial spells with Maccabi, Chongqing Liangjiang Athletic, Ecuador and Shenzhen FC. Cruyff returned to former club Barcelona as a sporting adviser in 2021.
Jordi Cruyff has spent his time post-retirement working as a football executive and manager
The Dutchman only featured in the first half of the season before being loaned out in January
Nicky Butt
Perhaps, not the first name that comes to mind when you think about this team, but a key member nonetheless.
The combative midfielder played 47 games across all competitions that season, including the whole of the Champions League final following Keane’s suspension.
In recent years Nicky Butt was the head of United’s academy and was head of first-team development during Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s time in charge.
Since 2022, Butt has been chief executive officer at Salford City, taking over from Gary Neville.
Nicky Butt played 47 games across all competitions during Man United’s Treble season
Since 2022, Butt has been chief executive officer at Salford City, taking over from Gary Neville
Butt was one of the squad members who appeared during last Thursday’s red carpet event
Roy Keane
The captain. The heart. You couldn’t argue that any other player in this squad did more to drive United to the promised land.
The midfield general may have been ruled out of the Champions League final due to suspension but it was his inspirational semi-final second leg display that got his team there, hauling his team back from two goals down to beat Juventus 3–2.
Roy Keane has also gone on to become one of the most popular and respected pundits in the country with his coldly delivered one-liners leaving often fans in hysterics.
Having managed Sunderland and Ipswich, and been an assistant to Martin O’Neill for the Republic of Ireland and Nottingham Forest, you wouldn’t rule out a return to the dugout.
Roy Keane may have been ruled out of the Champions League final due to suspension but it was his inspirational semi-final second leg display that got his team there
Keane has gone on to become one of the most popular and respected pundits in the country
Paul Scholes
Where Keane offered power and bite in midfield, this midfield maestro brought class and calm.
Like Keane he missed out on the big final due to suspension but he made sure to make an impact in the FA Cup showpiece, scoring one of United’s two goals.
Scholes is also a Salford co-owner and was briefly their caretaker manager in 2020. Scholes also had an ill-fated short spell in charge of his boyhood club Oldham.
The 49-year-old does his best to stay out of the limelight but has been taking on an increasing amount of punditry work in recent months.
Where Keane offered power in midfield, Paul Scholes (pictured) brought class and calm
Scholes is also a Salford co-owner and was briefly their caretaker manager in 2020
Jesper Blomqvist
This Swede was brought in to provide cover for Ryan Giggs on the wing but found himself starting the Champions League final with big players missing, coming closest to scoring for his side before the late comeback.
He netted just one goal all season but featured enough to get his hands on all three medals.
Jesper Blomqvist now owns a pizza restaurant in Stockholm and recently won the Swedish edition of Celebrity Masterchef.
Jesper Blomqvist now owns a pizza restaurant in Stockholm and recently won the Swedish edition of Celebrity Masterchef
The Swede was one of several members of the United squad in attendance at the premiere
Blomqvist was back up for Giggs but ended up starting the Champions League final
Teddy Sheringham
This striker’s first team opportunities were relatively limited throughout the campaign but no one remembers that after what he did in the two finals.
The Englishman came off the bench to open the scoring in the FA Cup final before doing the same to draw his side level in injury time in the Champions League final.
Teddy Sheringham has been more notable for his poker career since retiring, but he tried his hand at management when he took over League Two side Stevenage in 2015.
However, he endured a dismal spell with the club and was dismissed from the role having won just seven of his 33 games in charge. He spent a subsequent short stint with Indian side ATK and has also worked as a pundit.
In 2020, Sheringham shocked fans by revealing himself as ‘Tree’ on The Masked Singer. He was given the boot in the fourth episode.
Teddy Sheringham (left) and Kristina Andrioti (right) posing on the red carpet last Thursday
Sheringham made his impact as he came off the bench to score in both finals that season
Andy Cole
One half of a devastating striking partnership that helped fire this United team into the history books.
Andy Cole netted 24 times, including the winning goal in the match of the season against Tottenham Hotspur, a result which meant United finished one point ahead of rivals Arsenal to win the Premier League title.
He also scored United’s third and winning goal in their Champions League semi-final second leg against Juventus.
Since retirement, he has enjoyed short spells as an attacking coach at MK Dons, Huddersfield, and Southend United, but he heartbreakingly suffered kidney failure in 2015.
The forward has opened up on his struggles ever since and set up the Andy Cole Fund to raise money for Kidney Research UK.
Andy Cole netted 24 times, scoring the winner in the match of the season against Tottenham
Since retirement he has enjoyed short spells as an attacking coach at MK Dons, Huddersfield, and Southend United, but he was heartbreakingly diagnosed with kidney failure in 2015
Dwight Yorke
The second half of the feared United attack enjoyed his best season in the United red, falling just one goal shy of a 30-goal campaign.
The hitman finished as Premier League Player of the Season with the Golden Boot and was on target against the likes of Barcelona, Inter and Juventus in the Champions League.
Yorke spent time working as a pundit after initially joining Trinidad and Tobago as assistant manager following his retirement.
Dwight Yorke finished as the Premier League’s Player of the Season and won the Golden Boot
Dwight Yorke (right) would form one side of a threatening strike partnership with Cole (left)
After a long-time searching for a managerial role, he was handed his first job in the hot seat in 2022 at A-League side Macarthur FC but lasted less than a year
After a long-time searching for a managerial role, he was handed his first job in the hot seat in 2022 at A-League side Macarthur FC but lasted less than a year.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer
Forever a hero in the eyes of supporters after scoring the most dramatic of late winners in the Champions League final.
The Norwegian poacher was effective in his impact substitute role throughout the year and delivered when it mattered most.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is forever a hero in the eyes of supporters after scoring the most dramatic of late winners in the Champions League final
He returned to Old Trafford in 2018 as caretaker manager after Jose Mourinho was sacked
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer coached United’s reserves before managing Molde on two occasions and Cardiff City.
In 2018, he returned to Old Trafford as caretaker manager after Jose Mourinho was sacked and would go onto lead the club for three years before he was dismissed in November 2021 without winning a trophy.
Erik Nevland
Solskjaer’s countryman Erik Nevland struggled to make an impact at United with his only goal of the season coming against Bury in the League Cup.
Now retired, ex-centre forward Erik Nevland is the sporting director of Norwegian side Viking
During his time at Old Trafford, the centre-forward would make just eight appearances across all competitions.
Now retired, Nevland is the sporting director of Norwegian side Viking.
