Manchester United: 1999 vs.2008

On the brink of a tenth Premier League title, days away from an epic Champions League semi-final clash with Barcelona, the Manchester United class of 2008 have a real opportunity to write their own chapter in the United history books. As the squad prepares to fly out to Barcelona, memories of May 26 1999 will be rekindled, but after such an impressive season, has the current United squad earned the right to be considered as good as the treble winning side of '99?

In terms of style, the current United squad have matched anything that the legendary treble winning side produced, and have even achieved the impossible, surpassing it with their own brand of stylish attack minded football. The attacking talents of Cristiano Ronaldo, Wayne Rooney and Carlos Tevez have terrorised defences the length and breadth of the country and beyond, racking up 72 goals in all competitions between them. The arrivals of Anderson and Nani has injected yet more flair into the mix and Scholes and Giggs are still there, albeit plodding along somewhat, using their experience to prize open opposition defences.

The style in which Sir Alex Ferguson's side have gone about their business this year has by no means been without substance. A solid defence, marshaled by the irrepressible duo of Rio Ferdinand and Nemanja Vidic, have conceded just 19 league goals, whilst Owen Hagreaves and Michael Carrick have both rotated to provide sturdy cover for the defence, as well as chipping in with a couple of important goals each. And then there's the full-backs, Patrice Evra is widely regarded as one of the best left-backs in world football and Wes Brown has finally established himself as a first-team regular in Gary Neville's absence.

The team of '99 was, of course, an extraordinary side. After all, no average team has ever won an historic treble. The midfield contained a sublime blend of pace, vision and drive to overcome all who opposed them. Roy Keane, David Beckham, Giggs and Scholes were all at the peak of their careers and combined to net 35 goals between the four of them in the three competitions they were successful in winning. The perfect midfield, which even today's is not quite able to match.

Onto the strike force, and a pair of forwards who had an almost telepathic understanding on the pitch. Andy Cole and Dwight Yorke had the type of partnership on the field that most football managers can only dream of. The duo scored over 50 goals and were a key factor for United's dominance that season. Crucial goals at important times were the flavour of most matches played at Old Trafford during that momentous season. Backed up by the pair who would score a goal each at the Nou Camp in the Champions League final, Solskjaer and Sheringham, not only did the 1999 team have strength in depth in attack, but they all possessed the knack of scoring important goals. If one of them wasn't performing, there was always an option on the bench, whereas in the current team, the limited number of strikers means that it is essential for Ronaldo, Rooney and Tevez to stay fit for the remainder of the season.

However, for all of United's attacking prowess, the defence were a lot less to be desired. Despite the rock that was Jaap Stam at the heart of the United defence, those around him were not quite as adept at keeping clean sheets and preventing mistakes from occurring. There was no doubting goalkeeper Peter Schmeichel's influential role in the treble win and few would pick Edwin Van der Sar over the great Dane if a combined team was ever theoretically made up.

So, much will depend on what the current team manages to win this season. If the current squad can pick up a league and European Cup double, history will judge them as equals with their '99 counterparts and it will be hard to argue that they do not match the seemingly untouchable levels of that legendary side.

As a group of individuals does the current squad match the team of '99? Without a doubt. The current batch of players are all top class international footballers. The majority of them are match winners and can turn the game on its head with a moment of class.

And as a team? I'd have to say yes. A solid defence, a balanced midfield and a world-class strike force, they have their destiny in their own hands. If this team fails to pick up any silverware this year, they'll have wasted the most perfect chance to do so. And I just can't imagine Ferguson letting that happen. Not for one second.