United team, even though I thought the season had caught up
with us at last in the final five minutes in Barcelona.
Somewhere along the line I feared one test would be beyond
us but, once again, they proved me wrong.
The manner of the victory over Bayern was sensational: the
players never know when to quit and what happened in those
final, unbelievable minutes is down to more than mere
tactics or substitutions. It is about having the guts to
keep going. Never has the phrase "making your own luck"
seemed more appropriate.
We had enough possession in the match to think that one good
ball into the danger area would give us the chance we needed
but Bayern Munich defended so well I thought that maybe it
was going to pass us by this time.
Peter Schmeichel coming up for the corner absolutely threw
them: three defenders jumped with him but none got the ball.
It created almost the first moment of time and space in
their box all evening, plus a touch of panic and a mis-kick.
Ryan Giggs popped it back and Teddy Sheringham was on the
spot to score.
There was no way we were going to lose after that but I
thought we would have to go to extra time. What happened
next defied belief: people around me were speechless and in
shock after Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's winning goal.
I felt sorry for the Germans, even though they didn't really
cause us too many problems at the back until we started
stretching the game to get forward at the end. These things
happen to everyone in football at some time but it is hard
to accept for any professional who worked as hard as they
did.
It has been a season of incredible ups and downs but
Manchester United seem to be drawn into these adventures.
Sometimes it has not just been hurdles to climb, but
mountains. It is difficult to single anyone out, but David
Beckham was sensational. Alex Ferguson's tactics provoked a
lot of discussion but I never question Alex, how can you
after what he has done?
After the final whistle Martin Edwards, our chairman, and
the Sports Minister, Tony Banks, called me down to the front
of the box for a better view. It was a magic moment and I
was not the only one with a tear in my eye.
The party for players and staff was in full swing when I
left at 4.30am. Sixty-five thousand United fans were also
enjoying their own parties around Barcelona.
Already people are asking "where next" for this United team.
Maybe we can't repeat the Treble but we can give it a go
and, with a young side, there is plenty to look forward to.