Barcelona classic: Sep '98

This opening gambit in the so-called ‘group of death’ had everything: two teams intent on attacking, memorable goals, a dubious penalty, a red card and a partisan home crowd in full voice.

The Reds raced into a two-goal lead inside 24 minutes, courtesy of a rare Giggs header and a neat Paul Scholes finish, only for Barça to fight back in the second half and level through Sonny Anderson and a Rivaldo penalty (harshly awarded against Jaap Stam).

And still there was no let-up in the attacking. United went back ahead through a trademark David Beckham free kick, before Luis Enrique netted the Catalans’ second spot kick of the night, following a Nicky Butt handball for which he was dismissed.

"Neither team deserved to lose,” Giggs said afterwards. “But that doesn’t mean we’re happy with a point, especially after leading for so long."

United: Schmeichel; G Neville, Stam, Berg, Irwin (P Neville 79); Beckham, Keane, Scholes, Giggs (Blomqvist 84); Solskjaer (Butt 55), Yorke