MIRROR
Sir Alex Ferguson blamed Nicky Butt for Manchester United not making the Champions League final in 1998.
The Red Devils had a stellar European campaign during the 1997/98 season as they finished top of their group with five wins out of six, including a 3-2 triumph over Italian giants Juventus.
Ligue 1 Monaco awaited United in the quarter-finals and, after 0-0 draw in France, a second-leg awaited both at Old Trafford with the winner advancing to the semi-finals.
It was a horror start for the home side with David Trezeguet netting a rocket past Raimond Van der Gouw within the first five minutes of the match. Despite a second-half equaliser from Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, United were bounced out of the competition following the 1-1 draw due to the away goals rule.
“I go into the changing rooms thinking ‘that was a tough game that’, the manager is gone, his head’s gone, he’s lost that chance again for another year.”
