Treble-winning hero Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has revealed his frustration about not coming off the bench earlier in the 1999 Champions League final against Bayern Munich.
Solskjaer, now Manchester United's manager, was held back by Sir Alex Ferguson until the 81st minute at the Nou Camp but ended up scoring the injury-time winner as United fought back from 1-0 down to win 2-1 in a legendary game.
'The gaffer talked to Teddy (Sheringham) at half-time to tell him he was going to put him on. When it happened after 67 minutes, I was a bit disappointed it wasn’t me who was the first substitute.
'I was never one to complain and sulk though so I just made sure I warmed up in front of him to show I was ready. Finally, when he called me, I definitely was.
'I don’t really remember what he said to me – although he didn’t need to say anything because it had happened so many times before. When I see myself running on, and I’ve seen it once before, I was springy, my legs were ready. I felt energised, I had that little feeling that it was going to be a special night for us and me.'
Sheringham equalised at the start of injury-time and then flicked a corner for Solskjaer to react at the far post and divert the winning goal from close range.
'I was always ready for the chance. That was my game - to be an opportunist,' added Solskjaer. 'The goal wasn’t practised or prepared for, it was just instinct from many years as a striker, being in the box and knowing how to guide it towards goal. I was lucky to flick on it on - and that it went under the crossbar, not over it.
Solskjaer recalls Dwight Yorke leading the post-match celebrations in the dressing room with kit man Albert Morgan thrown into the Jacuzzi. Paul Scholes and Roy Keane, both suspended for the final, were there to join in.
The only disappointing footnote is that 1999 became the only Champions League triumph for that particular team even though they won the Premier League by 18 points the following season.
'We really wanted to win the Champions League again, that was our main focus really, to do it again,' said Solskjaer. 'Unfortunately we never managed it with that bunch of players, but we won the league three times on the bounce.'