After seeing his side forced to mount an unlikely comeback in the semi-final, Ferguson is likely to have emphasised the importance of not surrendering an early lead when the showpiece final came about. That is exactly what United did after just six minutes in Barcelona, though, as Mario Basler's free-kick snuck beyond Peter Schmeichel.

The Germans largely dominated the game from that point and went close to doubling their lead twice as a Mehmet Scholl effort came back off the post and Carsten Jancker shook the bar. But United weren't to be denied and equalised through substitute Teddy Sheringham's low drive into the bottom corner following a penalty box melee in the 91st minute.

It appeared the English champions had forced extra-time but they weren't done yet. As David Beckham floated over another corner further into stoppage time, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer latched onto Sheringham's header to direct the ball home to spark scenes of utter jubilation. Ferguson famously remarked after the topsy-turvy game: "Football, bloody hell".