Ligue des Champions 1998 1999 Barcelona Manchester United

Group D

25 novembre 1988

Nou Camp

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C1.1998.1999.Barc.Utf.GrD25111998.twb22donotrepost.ENG.mp4

2.6 Go

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Barcelona (3-5-2): Hesp, Reiziger, Okunowo, Sergi, Figo, Celades, Xavi, Giovanni, Zenden, Rivaldo, Andrson

Manchester United (4-4-2): Schmeichel, G Neville, Stam, Brown, Irwin, Beckham (Butt 80), Keane, Scholes, Blomqvist, Cole, Yorke

Pitched into the so-called 'Group of Death' with Barcelona, Bayern Munich and Brondby, United came out swinging. In September's group opener against Barca at Old Trafford, Ryan Giggs, David Beckham and Paul Scholes scored United's goals in a 3-3 draw, while Nicky Butt was sent off - the Class of 92 certainly had an impact. The encounter also heralded the arrival on the European stage of another future star of the game - Xavi made his Champions League debut, playing in place of Barca's injured midfielder, a certain Pep Guardiola.

The 'rematch', as it were, came two months later, and managed to top the first course. "I recalled our 4-0 defeat in the Camp Nou in 1994, and set against this background it would have been understandable if we had gone to Spain to make sure we didn't lose. But I always had this wonderful dream of having a team ready to attack and beat them," says Ferguson. "I was thrilled by the drive and ebullience of our display." Not many teams - then or now - would go there and play 4-4-2, but they might if they had Roy Keane and Paul Scholes in their prime. The duo were immense in midfield.

"It was one of the best games I've seen," says United We Stand editor Andy Mitten. "I'd watched United get destroyed in Camp Nou in 1994 and shared Ferguson's belief that it would be great to see United go there one day and attack. They did that alright. Buoyed by the 3-3 at home, Ferguson had the tools capable of fulfilling his desires.

"Barcelona were the favourites for the Champions League that year too. Luis Figo and Rivaldo were in their prime. The final was set to be staged at Camp Nou, in the club's centenary year as well. Barca's stars were aligned."

United suffered a catastrophic start with Sonny Anderson giving Barca the lead inside a minute. However the visitors responded from their first threat on goal, Jesper Blomqvist finding Dwight Yorke who drilled home. Schmeichel then pulled off a remarkable double save to keep the scores level, getting his palms to Luis Figo's effort from the edge of the box before punching the ball away from Anderson who was ready to pounce as it dropped his way. But eight minutes after the restart, Cole and Yorke linked up at their deadly best. Yorke. Cole. Yorke. Goal. "The combination between Cole and Yorke was out of this world," stated Clive Tyldesley, commentating for ITV. Cole capped off an incisive piece of play by slotting the ball into the bottom left corner. "In Barcelona, Yorke and Cole proved what a deadly partnership they could be," Ferguson writes. "They are soulmates off the field and, on it, Dwight's alertness and subtlety provide opportunities for Andy to exploit his pace and his predator's instincts." They would go on to score 53 goals between them that season. "It was the first time, I think, that most people outside England saw the quality of the Yorke-Cole combination," says Mitten. He adds: "I was fortunate to be at Camp Nou as a young, rookie journalist, where I found myself sitting next to the legendary sportswriter Hugh McIlvanney in the press box. He was working with Ferguson on his 1999 autobiography and kept purring, 'Brilliant, brilliant, brilliant'." Rivaldo put Barca level with a deflected free kick, but United hit back. Scholes found Keane, who nudged the ball to Beckham, who whipped a trademark cross to the near post where Yorke arrived to head in, having fluffed an almost identical chance moments before. United led for a third time at Camp Nou.

Rivaldo was not done however, rising with his back to goal to control Sergi's cross with his chest and tee himself up for a spectacular overhead kick. Schmeichel could only watch the ball nestle into his net, stumbling backwards and putting his hands on his hips. Rivaldo picked the ball out of the net - he clearly wasn't done. He almost stole the match too, cracking the crossbar from long range before pulling off an audacious backheel flick to tee up Giovanni, who was stopped by a smart save from the onrushing Schmeichel.