1999: Keane puts United on top of world
Tuesday 30 November 1999
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United celebrate winning the 1999 European/South American Cup (©Getty Images)
Manchester United FC 1-0 SE Palmeiras
Manchester United FC become the first British team to taste success the European/South American Cup as Roy Keane's 35th-minute strike proved enough to defeat Brazil's SE Palmeiras in front of 53,372 spectators in Tokyo.
Keane winner
It was the fifth year in succession a European side had won the competition although United had goalkeeper Mark Bosnich to thank after a string of terrific saves kept Palmeiras at bay. Keane's strike brought United their fourth major honour of the calendar year after winning the UEFA Champions League, the English Premier League and the FA Cup the previous season. The game had started slowly but developed in intensity as Palmeiras confidently took the game to United. Alex, operating just behind the unpredictable front duo Faustino Asprilla and Paulo Nunes, was their main threat, and his shot on the turn was brilliantly saved by Bosnich.
Keane strikes
Luiz Felipe Scolari's side enjoyed plenty of possession, but it was United who struck first on the break. Ryan Giggs outpaced Junior Baiano on the left and when his cross eluded goalkeeper Marcos, Keane was on hand to sweep into the empty net. United's goal presaged a much-improved spell from the English side, who were nevertheless lucky not to concede an equaliser when, with Bosnich beaten, Mikaël Silvestre hacked the ball off the goalline as Nunes powered in a header from Junior's left-wing cross.
Bosnich shines
Palmeiras, bidding to become the first South American side to win the trophy since 1994, pressed forward in the second half only to be thwarted by Bosnich time and again. Asprilla shot into the side-netting then Alex headed wide with only Bosnich to beat from another fine Junior cross. Substitute Oseas was denied by a superb point-blank save by the goalkeeper, who then turned over another drive from Alex. United hung on to add the world title to the European crown they had won so thrillingly against FC Bayern München the previous May.
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