Before getting into the list, I need to make it clear that this isn’t a list of the greatest scoring matches, or the greatest footballing displays in terms of technique; some of the picks fit that description, but more of them are about what these matches mean to the fans and what they represent for the club as a whole.
#10. 2-0 vs Ajax – Stockholm 2017
We kick things off with a win that definitely meant a lot to the fans at the time. Just two days before the Europa League final, on the 22nd May 2017. The city of Manchester was thrust into chaos. With the bombing of the Manchester arena, the city was bleeding. What we needed was something to provide a bit of healing. We needed a win.
Two days later in Stockholm we got that little lift we needed. Goals from Paul Pogba and Henrikh Mkhitaryan saw Jose win us a second trophy of the season in beating Ajax in the final. Whilst this might not have been the most prestigious trophy in our cabinet. It represents something much more for the fans. At a time when we felt so low this was a moment of pure joy and celebration that was much needed.
#9. 3-1 vs PSG in 2019
This was the culmination of what felt like Manchester United being back to some slight form of the old United. Ole’s at the wheel was in full flow and that fateful night in Paris was probably what got him the job full time.
Regardless of what happened towards the end of that season, that night was still an incredible achievement, especially for such a young and relatively inexperienced squad. The likes of Mason Greenwood and Tahith Chong being on the pitch at the final whistle is evidence of this. The experience that Marcus Rashford gained from netting that last minute penalty. Stepping up to take that with the likes of Romelu Lukaku still there is testament to his character. It is these kinds of experiences that will have shaped Marcus into the player that he is today, with the level of confidence he has on the pitch.
This win was record-breaking. It made United the first team in the history of the European Cup to advance to the next round after losing the first leg at home by two or more goals.
#8 7-1 vs Roma in 2007
Goals. Goals. And even more goals. There really is no other way to describe that game.
It was nights like these that laid the foundations for what this star-studded team would go on to do in winning the Champions League and the Premier League the following season.
After a horrific display from the Roma fans, Manchester United felt like we deserved one back and in no way did the players disappoint. We saw goals from Alan Smith, Wayne Rooney, Patrice Evra and double hauls from both Michael Carrick and Cristiano Ronaldo.
#7 3-3 vs Red Star Belgrade in 1958
The score was 3-3. Manchester United were through on aggregate. Ultimately, this was all overshadowed by the tragedy that was to follow.
A team full of potential, the Busby Babes, lost to us. Geoff Bent, Roger Byrne, Eddie Colman, Duncan Edwards, Mark Jones, David Pegg, Tommy Taylor and Liam Whelan. We can only imagine the things that these players would have gone on to achieve.
On top of all of this, the vision of Sir Matt to enter into a European competition when at the time no one wanted us to do that, only to suffer this horrific tragedy.
This night is the most important night in the history of Manchester United Football Club and a list of significant moments in Europe would be incomplete without it.
#6 1-0 vs Barcelona in 2008
Two of the best teams in Europe at the time clashing heads in a semi-final looking to send the winner to Moscow. This is what Champions League football was all about.
This was a Barcelona team full of world-class players. The likes of Yaya Touré, Xavi, Iniesta, Lionel Messi, Samuel Eto’o and Thierry Henry coming off the bench. This was an unbelievable team. For United to fend this off was some incredible achievement, a sign that United were back at the pinnacle of footballing excellence.
The goal that saw us through, the absolute rocket from Paul Scholes from just outside the box was phenomenal. Probably one of his best ever goals for Manchester United.
This was also a true masterpiece in selection from Sir Alex. Bringing in Ji-Sung Park for this kind of big game was a classic move from the boss. With no Rooney, Nani stepped up on the wing. This was a real display of squad depth and was something that truly encapsulated how good United were at this time.
#5 2-0 vs Juventus in 1999
After a 1-1 draw in the first leg at Old Trafford, United’s hopes looked drained when Inzaghi’s two goals inside 11 minutes looked set to put Juventus into a fourth straight final.
However, one of the finest comebacks in Manchester United’s history saw us through to the final. Inspired by captain Roy Keane, with one of the best performances of a United player in our history. Despite getting a booking early on, which ruled him out of the final, he did not let that shake him. He still put on a stellar performance.
With Keane leading the charge on the goals and follow ups from Dwight Yorke and Andy Cole. This truly was a phenomenal performance all round for United.
#4 2-1 vs Barcelona in Rotterdam 1991
The European Cup Winners’ Cup. This was the first European title in 23 years for Manchester United since that historic night in 1968. This win also saw United be the first English side to win a European trophy since all English teams were banned from European competitions in 1985.
This win was the first success for Sir Alex in Europe and is arguably what kick-started everything that was to come, with the treble of 1999 and the double of 2008.
This was a team littered with star and top-quality players. Bruce and Pallister were solid at the back. Denis Irwin at full-back. Robson, McClair and Ince with Hughes up top, just unreal talent.
The win itself was a Mark Hughes masterclass, being directly involved in both goals this was an incredible performance.
#3 penalty win vs Chelsea in Moscow 2008
This was the first all English final in the history of this competition. And it truly captured how strong English football was at this time and by extension how strong Manchester United were at the time.
This was arguably the best United side we ever had, certainly in modern history. All across the XI we had world-class stars. Edwin van der Sar in net. Rio and Vidic. Evra. Scholes. Giggs off the bench. And then that front three of Rooney, Ronaldo and Tevez. World class, that is the only way to describe them.
To really emphasise how good this team was, people thought we probably should have achieved more. Of course, there was the disappointing FA Cup exit that season and then the following Champions League final which we should have done better in. Saying all of this is testament to just how strong this team was, that they won the double that year and won three consecutive league title and they still probably could have done more shows us how brilliant this side was.
The way that United won the final here was right down to the wire. Ronaldo’s goal to get us 1-0 up was unbelievable, the cross from Wes Brown on his weak foot and the way that Ronaldo just hung in the air for the header was outrageous. Lampard equalised at the end of the first half and the match ended up going to penalties.
When Ronaldo missed his penalty, I remember thinking that we weren’t going to do it, the dream was over. But then a John Terry slip and a formidable save from van der Sar sealed us the historic win.
#2 2-1 vs Bayern Munich in the Nou Camp 1999
Arguably the most famous win in the history of Manchester United Football Club. An unmatched achievement in completing the treble.
To come back in the fashion that we did, against such a strong Bayern Munich team is unparalleled. Despite missing such key players as Roy Keane and Paul Scholes through suspension, two of our most influential players that season, we still held that level of fight and mentality to come back from one nil down.
David Beckham and Nicky Butt stepping up in central midfield with an incredible performance. With Beckham sending in both corners that led to the goals from Sheringham and Solskjaer.
This was one of the greatest displays of squad depth. The fact that Dwight Yorke and Andy Cole started up top, but it was Teddy and Ole who bagged the late goals shows us that depth. As we mentioned, Butt stepping up in midfield with Beckham changing positions and Jesper Blomqvist coming in for the final. All were integral parts in one of the greatest nights in the illustrious history of Manchester United.
#1 4-1 vs Benfica – Wembley 1968
This was very close. It was really hard to differentiate between the three European Cup/Champions League successes. For me, this takes the higher spot over 1999 and 2008 just because of everything that this match and this win signified.
10 years after the tragedy in Munich, for Sir Matt and those players like Sir Bobby to have gone through such an ordeal 10 years prior to the final and then to go on and win the final at Wembley is such a hugely significant moment in the history of Manchester United.
The archetype of late winners for United has its roots in this match. With the score being 1 all after 90 minutes, extra time was needed to decide a winner. It wasn’t long before George Best got us back in the lead with foals following from Bryan Kidd and Munich survivor Sir Bobby Charlton.
This win was the pinnacle of Sir Matt’s legacy and was everything that he fought for. It was this win and the success in this competition that made Manchester United the biggest club in the world.