5 times Manchester United pulled off a miraculous comeback

#5 Manchester United 2-1 Bayern Munich – May 26th, 1999

The Grand-daddy of all comebacks, United’s Champions League triumph in 1999 – their first for over 30 years – remains one of the most stirring moments in sporting history. After being a goal behind for 84 minutes of the game, Alex Ferguson’s Red Devils somehow found it within themselves to equalise in the 91st minute and then find an inexplicable winner 2 minutes later, as the game teetered on the verge of extra time.

United had gotten off to the worst possible start when a well-worked free kick from Mario Basler swerved around the right of the United wall and into the back of the net, deceiving goalkeeper Peter Schmeichel. And from there – clearly missing influential midfielders Paul Scholes and Roy Keane, who were both suspended – United simply couldn’t seem to get going.

With chances in both halves few and far between, it appeared that the game would peter out with a 1-0 victory for Bayern. The famous Champions League trophy had even been decorated with Bayern’s banners when United won a corner and in desperation, even Schmeichel dashed into the box to support the attack.

David Beckham flighted the corner into the box and when the ball fell to Ryan Giggs, he took a weak snapshot that instead fell to substitute Teddy Sheringham, who swiped the ball into the back of the net. The Nou Camp was sent into shock, as it looked like United had managed to force extra time.

Less than 30 seconds later though, with 2 minutes remaining, United managed to force another corner. Bayern’s players still looked shell-shocked and this time the Red Devils didn’t even need Schmeichel in the box – Beckham’s corner came over, was headed on by Sheringham, and another substitute – Ole Gunnar Solskjaer – reacted first to poke the ball into the top corner.

There was enough time left for the game to restart but Bayern’s players were so broken by the quick goals that they had no time to attack, and thus probably the greatest comeback in football history was complete. With their second Champions League triumph, United sent out the ultimate message – write them off at your peril.