The Premier League may have Manchester City and Liverpool as their trendsetters at the moment, but this moniker was celebrated by Arsenal and Manchester United for most parts between 1995 and 2004. Old Trafford and the Emirates were always buzzing with names that set the football stage on fire.

Arsenal’s maiden Premier League triumph had come in 1997-98, and the rivalry between Arsene Wenger and Sir Alex Ferguson was stuff made for dreams. Thus, to bounce back, Ferguson signed Jesper Blomqvist, Dutch center-back Jaap Stam, and Aston Villa striker Dwight Yorke.

The season started regularly, with Liverpool striker Michael Owen hitting the ground running with a hat-trick against Newcastle United. Arsenal and Manchester United, however, continued to play their games without much drama and eked out victories regularly, with John Gregory’s Aston Villa spending most of the time at the top of the table.

Manchester Utd came to the fore as the league progressed into its business end and five successive wins put them in the ascendancy in February. Ole Gunner Solskjaer’s four goals in 14 minutes saw United beat Nottingham Forest 8-1, the highest margin for an away win in the Premier League.

Here on, the team started showing signs of hunger and remained unbeaten for most of the season. In the Champions League too, the side had already faced Bayern Munich and Barcelona in the group stages. The last stage test against Inter (Serie A was one of the best leagues in the world then) had already put them through enough litmus tests.

The Class of 92, coupled with some protagonists well-positioned by Fergie, remained unfazed. They kept inching closer towards one victory after another.

Arsenal’s 1-0 loss to Leeds in their penultimate match of PL and a 0-0 draw for Man United against Blackburn Rovers meant Sir Alex Ferguson’s side were one point ahead of the Gunners going into the final day. While Arsenal defeated Villa 1-0, United came from behind at home to beat Spurs 2-1, breaking a lot of hearts at the Emirates.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BcRfoStU7XM

Teddy Sheringham is not as big a star for Man United as several others from that team, but the role he played in the FA Cup victory and the UCL is unforgettable. Sheringham scored in the FA Cup final, taking United to the podium against Newcastle United. However, most of the drama was left for the Champions League. Having lifted the Premier League and FA Cup, the team was itching to complete the famed ‘Treble’.

In the semi-final, the United side had defeated arguably the best team in the world then, Juventus. Manchester United had come from 0-2 down to win 3-2, a win that added to their self-belief immensely. But in a major jolt, the team had to play without Paul Scholes and Roy Keane, their two best midfielders, out due to suspensions.

United was trailing to a Mario Basler goal, scored in the sixth minute. Sheringham came on in the 67th minute and scored in the 90+1 minute. The entire Nou Camp was upon its seat – the match was level and now, there was everything to play for again. Just when the entire world thought that it was headed towards extra time, more drama unfolded.

Ole Gunner Solksjaer, current United manager and Sir Alex’s blue-eyed boy, who had also come off the bench, scored! The 50,000 United supporters in the stands went berserk, and Clive Tyldesley’s most famous words, “and Solskjaer has won it!” erupted in the stadium.

This treble-winning side is arguably the best Premier League team of all time according to most experts. It played with passion, emotion, and most importantly, as a hungry unit that wanted to win. And that’s what it did – win three of the most cherished trophies in world football in a season.

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