8. vs. Barcelona
Competition Champions League, Date 25th November 1998, Score 3-3 Today, English Premier League clubs can secure qualification to the UEFA Champions League by finishing anywhere in the top three, with the fourth-placed team also eligible to enter the competition through preliminary qualifying ties. In 1998, however, United's second-place finish in the previous season forced them to grind out results against Polish side LKS Lodz before they could enter the tournament, upon which they placed in a 'group of death' with Bayern Munich, Barcelona and Danish minnows Brondby. Their opening encounter against the Catalan giants at Old Trafford ended 3-3, before a 2-2 draw against Bayern and two decisive victories over the Danes gave Sir Alex's men a good chance of qualifying for the next round as either group winners or highest scoring runners-up. A trip to the Nou Camp was next on the cards, however, with Barcelona needing a win to maintain their own hopes of qualification. A thrilling spectacle was put on by both sides in this match, with United going 1-0 down early on before scoring twice to ahead 2-1. A fantastic individual performance from Rivaldo kept things alive for the hosts (who played as if their lives depended on it), however, as he levelled proceedings at 2-2 before equalising once again to make it 3-3 after another United goal. The Brazilian could've made it 4-3 soon afterwards, only to see his effort rattle against the crossbar and deny him a hat trick. The result put United just one point behind Bayern with one match remaining, allowing both sides to qualify for the next round after they drew 1-1 in the group's final match-up.