Giggs wants to beat Charlton’s all-time United appearance record of 758.
LONDON: A dejected George Best had left the stands at the Nou Camp. Bayern Munich’s colours were being pinned to the trophy. UEFA president Lennart Johansson left his seat to present it to the German club.
The scoreboard hit 90 minutes in the 1999 Champions League final and Manchester United were trailing 1-0.
But everything was about to change.
Inside three minutes of injury time, United produced one of the most breathtaking comebacks in football history with goals from substitutes Teddy Sheringham and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer giving the Red Devils their first European Cup since 1968.
As the current squad prepare for today’s final against Chelsea in Moscow, they have been reliving the thrilling climax and seeking inspiration from the 1999 treble-winning squad that also captured the Premier League and FA Cup.
Paul Scholes was suspended for the final and Wes Brown remained on the bench, but both are now in line to receive a second winners’ medal.
Only Ryan Giggs can feature again nine years later at Luzhniki Stadium. If he does play, the Welsh winger will beat Bobby Charlton’s all-time United appearance record of 758.
“It was tough in 1999,” Giggs said. “We had great quality that year and we used it throughout the season. That was the case this season as well, so there are similarities.
“We’ve got great team spirit, and we’ve got a good balance of experience and young players. The enthusiasm the young players has shown has been great for me.
“I enjoy the experience you can give to the young players when they’ve found themselves in certain positions.”
The 34-year-old Giggs had thought a second chance of glory was slipping away as the Red Devils lost semi-finals to Bayer Leverkusen and AC Milan in the intervening years.
“Certainly, I think you appreciate it a lot more. You don’t play when you’re 25 or 26 thinking it will be your last time, but at 33 or 34 you know it will be a last chance,” said Giggs, who has just won his 10th Premier League title.
“You always have that belief that we would get there again and show that winning mentality, but overall I’m just happy to be playing in the final.
“I think I will be able to enjoy the experience but, of course, winning is the important thing.
” I will have many years to reflect on my career when I finish, but you have certain things you want to achieve and winning the Champions League again is one of them.” — AP
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