The pinnacle of achievement came in 1999 when, in the space of 10 days in May, Ferguson's United re-wrote the record books.

After wrapping up another double with a comprehensive victory over Newcastle, it was on to Barcelona and a Champions League final against Bayern Munich.

Trailing to Mario Basler's early goal and without the suspended Roy Keane and Paul Scholes, it seemed as if Ferguson was going to miss out on his Holy Grail with injury time fast approaching.

But Teddy Sheringham and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer struck to secure victory and the Scot's famous response: "Football, bloody hell."