As the 1998-99 campaign drew to a conclusion, Manchester United faced one of the biggest periods in the club's history.

In the space of 11 days, Alex Ferguson's men had the chance to make English football history. Not only did they top the Premier League table heading into the final game of the season, they had also reached the final of both the FA Cup and Champions League.

© Getty Images

Part one of what would help to secure a unique treble of trophies saw Tottenham Hotspur visit Old Trafford 16 years ago today.

The equation as far as the hosting Red Devils were concerned was simple - win and they would be crowned champions, but anything less would hand Arsenal, who faced Aston Villa at Highbury, the chance to retain the trophy that they had lifted 12 months earlier.

Due to the rivalry that exists between the North London neighbours, the Gunners may well have been worried how seriously Spurs were going to take their fixture. After all, a Spurs victory would probably hand the title to Arsenal.

However, any doubts ebbed away in the 24th minute when Tottenham frontman Les Ferdinand blew the title race wide open, stunning the home faithful into silence in the process.

The England striker beat United centre-back Ronny Johnsen to Steffen Iversen's flicked header and having spotted goalkeeper Peter Schmeichel off his line, he proceeded to lift his shot over the Dane and into far corner of the net. Incidentally, it was Ferdinand's first goal of the calendar year.

It prompted an onslaught from United, but they were struggling to convert their chances, with Paul Scholes twice being denied by visiting goalkeeper Ian Walker, while David Beckham headed over from close range.

But, with three minutes of the first half left, Beckham made amends. Scholes robbed Tim Sherwood of possession and United sprung forward with Ryan Giggs, who in turn found Scholes on the edge of the Tottenham area.

The midfielder played a pass to his right for Beckham and despite a narrowing angle, the winger curled a shot out of Walker's grasp and into the top corner, much to the relief of all those connected with United.

Relief then turned to euphoria just two minutes after the restart courtesy of Andy Cole - a half-time replacement for Teddy Sheringham.

He managed to gain control of Gary Neville's hopeful long pass and as Walker committed himself, Cole was able to loop his half-volley into an unguarded net, sparking scenes of wild celebrations.

That was then followed by nerves as news filtered through that Nwankwo Kanu had given Arsenal the lead, which meant that an equaliser for Spurs would see the title being snatched away.

As the game drew to a close, Dwight Yorke, Nicky Butt and Scholes all spurned chances to add a third goal, but they didn't prove to be costly failings as United held out to secure a fifth title in seven seasons.

Speaking after the celebrations, Ferguson said: "It was tense, very tense. It's the nature of things at United that we make it hard work for ourselves. We did that by going a goal behind."

Meanwhile, looking ahead, the Scot added: "We have to go to Wembley and win and then Barcelona for the greatest day of our lives. We are going to enjoy ourselves."

His team did just that, comfortably beating Newcastle United in the FA Cup final, before stoppage-time goals from Sheringham and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer secured the Champions League trophy in the most dramatic fashion.

Man United: Schmeichel; G Neville, May, Johnsen, Irwin; Beckham, Scholes (Butt), Keane, Giggs (P Neville); Yorke, Sheringham (Cole)

Spurs: Walker; Carr, Edinburgh, Scales (Young), Campbell; Anderton, Freund, Sherwood, Ginola (Dominguez) (Sinton); Ferdinand, Iversen