Sir Alex Ferguson was not the most easy-going of individuals, it’s fair to say.
The legendary Manchester United manager famously enjoyed the fruits of his labour very briefly indeed, turning his attention immediately to the next challenge, the next season, and the next piece of silverware.
Even when the Red Devils claimed that remarkable treble in 1999 – winning the Premier League and the FA Cup before Ole Gunnar Solskjaer‘s dramatic late intervention at the Camp Nou – Ferguson’s champagne returned to the cupboard pretty quickly.
And while his Man United charges did seize the chance to let their hair down following the comeback to end all comebacks in Catalonia, it was straight back to work just a few days later.
Sir Alex Ferguson masterminded Manchester United treble
If there is one thing Nicky Butt could change about perhaps the most iconic season in the history of any English club, it was that. A little more time for reflection. A little more time for celebration.
“When you come to places like this, that’s when the goosepimples come on and you remember what a special time it was. It’s nice to see,” Butt says, speaking to Beanyman Sports at the premiere of Amazon Prime’s ’99’ documentary.
“You don’t take it in when you’re there because the manager drives you. Enjoy it tonight, enjoy it tomorrow. The next day, it’s looking onto the next game or the next season. That was always in our mantra really.
“Looking back, I wish it wasn’t, if I’m honest. I liked seeing people have a good time and enjoying the success and the wins. We didn’t really do that much.”
Nicky Butt has one regret about 1999 season
Of course, had Ferguson allowed such success cloud their vision, perhaps Man United would not have bounced back to claim the Premier League title in that very next season.
They say that the most difficult challenge in football is to maintain the hunger for glory and avoid complacency. With Ferguson ruling over Old Trafford with an iron fist, there was never any question of Butt, Paul Scholes, Ryan Giggs and co resting on their laurels.
“Don’t get me wrong, we had two or three great nights after (the Bayern Munich win),” adds Butt, who spent 12 years in the United first-team and returned briefly as ayouth coach at Carrington.
“But it was straight back to what we wanted to do next. If you didn’t, the manager would get rid of you because he wanted to win every single season.”
Flash forward to the present day, the man currently in the Old Trafford dugout is fighting for his future; playing in the Champions League let alone winning it a pipe dream these days.
Erik ten Hag, after perhaps the worst Manchester United season in generations, is facing an uncertain future with Ineos reportedly scouring the market for potential replacements. One of Butt’s former Treble-winning team-mates – a certain David Beckham – is unwilling to write the Dutchman off just yet, however.
Especially with an FA Cup final re-match with Man City offering the chance for redemption.
“I think we were lucky in our day,” Beckham recalls, speaking to talkSPORT. “We had Sir Alex Ferguson, Eric Harrison, Jim Ryan, Nobby Styles… All these great managers and great motivators.”
“(But) we all know that Erik is a very qualified manager,” the former England captain adds. “And a very good manager. He has the right motives.”
