Icon Sports MediaWith group stages about to wrap up, we come to that time again in the Champions league campaign where discussions begin and predictions are made on who will be this years hero.

This article stands to be no different. I strongly believe this year will be a banner year for Ferguson’s Manchester United—not simply because of their consistent form to date in the campaign, but because of the similarities that lie amongst this year’s team and that of the one who captured the prestigious treble during the 1998/1999 campaign.

Schmeichel v. Van der Sar

After having gone through a “keeper drought” with the departure of Peter Schmeichel, Fergie has finally found a reliable and consistent keeper in Edwin Van der Sar. This year’s CL campaign has seen Van der Sar keep two clean sheets in just three matches (Kuszczak starting the other two), while Schmeichel managed only four clean sheets during the entire 1998/1999 UEFA campaign (keep in mind Manchester were in a much fiercer group with Barcelona and Bayern Munich). What’s more are the goals conceded during the first round group stages. Van der Sar has allowed three goals with one match to play, while Schmeichel allowed twelve goals.

The Back Four

While Manchester has never been primarily known for its defensive backs, Ferguson seems to have regained a much needed force holding up the back line. The 1998/99 campaign saw the majority of the rear being taken up by the likes of Keane (though a central midfielder), Stam, Johnson, Irwin, and the Neville brothers, while this year sees Ferdinand, Evra, Brown, and Vidic taking control.

The Front Partnership

One of the strongest partnerships to date in the Red Devils' franchise history was that of Andy Cole and Dwight Yorke. However until recently, the partnership between Wayne Rooney and Carlos Tevez seemed the unlikely duo to be able to effectively work with one another. The partnership between Rooney and Tevez has lead to a number of goals, and what’s more is the entertaining game played between the two.

Giggs v. Giggs

There is a lot to say about a player who hasn’t changed over the years. While this can be interpreted as a negative, I assure you that it is quite the opposite. Encompassing the drive of Roy Keane, Teddy Sheringham, and Eric Cantona, Ryan Giggs has been one of, if not the, most consitent, reliable, hard working players ever known in the Premiership league.

While “Giggsey” has never been known to be a top scorer, what he does have is an impressive ability to read the game, one that can dramatically affect the outcome. At the age of 34, an age considered to be quite old in the soccer world, Giggs has the endurance, goal scoring capability, and playmaking he had during the 1998/1999 campaign.


7 v. 7

And then there was 7—David Beckham and Cristiano Ronaldo.

While Beckham's form may not be what it was nine years ago, make no mistake that Beckham, along with his right foot, had an uncanny ability to hit the back of the net from whatever angle it wanted to. After the split between Beckham and Ferguson, one might have never imagined another player who could fill the boots of David Beckham.

Enter Ronaldo.

Having joined United with a lot of pressure and expectation over performance, Ronaldo managed to shock and awe viewers with his trademark fast feet and goal scoring ability. One might have wondered if his ability could endure the test of time, or if he wasn’t just another flavour of the month.

Remember, while Ronaldo did manage to dazzle everyone with his trickery, he also made many simple errors, ones I blame on him being too overly confident. However after several years of maturing his game, Christiano Ronaldo has shown fans and critics why he’s worth his million dollar salary.

Like Beckham, Ronaldo plays a wide game, with a lot of crosses into the box and effortlessly find the back of the net (especially from a free kick position), a trait famously associated with Beckham.

Everyone Else

Finally, there is everyone else. While players such as Patrice Evra, Michael Carrick, or Darren Fletcher do not always get into the headlines, they are no less important to Manchester’s run at a potential second treble. I believe it's players such as these that add to Manchester's consistent run this year. Consistency is what it all boils down to if Manchester are to be successful.