Manchester United will be hoping for a much better evening against Anderlecht tonight than their last trip to Brussels.
Sir Alex Ferguson took his star-studded side to the Constant Vanden Stock Stadium for a Champions League group fixture in October 2000, only to lose 2-1.
At the time, Ferguson’s side were top of the Premier League and were on course to win their sixth Premier League title in eight years but were humbled by the Belgian minnows.
A brace from future Everton and Fulham striker, Tomasz Radzinski, put Anderlecht 2-0 up before Dennis Irwin pulled one back from the penalty spot.
In contrast, Jose Mourinho’s side will be looking to progress in the Europa League as they look to win the competition - which also presents the best chance of qualifying for next season’s Champions League.
While Mourinho’s side have had a fairly underwhelming campaign domestically, Ferguson’s side dominated English football.
And it’s hardly surpassing considering their line-up. So we’ve taken a look at their incredible XI the last time they played Anderlecht back in 2000.
Goalkeeper | Fabien Barthez
Barthez had only been at the club for a couple of months before United’s trip to Anderlecht and he proved to be a decent signing from Monaco.
He went on to make 139 appearances for the club, winning two league titles.
Right-back | Gary Neville
More than 600 appearances, eight league titles, three FA Cups and two Champions Leagues. It’s fair to say that Gary Neville is a United legend.
Left-back | Denis Irwin
Irwin was coming towards the end of his career when he faced Anderlecht - but that didn’t stop him scoring his penalty.
The Irishman played more than 500 times for the club and scored 33 goals - the majority of which came from the penalty spot.
Centre-back | Ronny Johnsen
Johnsen only played a handful of matches during the 2000/01 seasons with the likes of Michael Silvestre, Wes Brown and Jaap Stam competing for the centre back position.
He did last six seasons at the club, though, winning four league titles.
Centre-back | Mikael Silvestre
Believe it or not, Silvestre played more than 350 times in United’s defence before moving to rivals Arsenal.
During his nine seasons at the club, he lifted five Premier League titles, one FA Cup and the Champions League.
Right midfield | David Beckham
Long before his falling out with Ferguson, Beckham was an important member of United’s title-winning sides down the years.
Beckham’s incredible crossing ability for the likes of Andy Cole and Dwight Yorke was crucial - so too were his 85 goals during his 11 seasons at the club.
Centre midfield | Paul Scholes
What can be said about Scholes that hasn't been said before? More than 700 appearances, more than 150 goals and countless amounts of trophies.
What a player.
Centre midfield | Nicky Butt
Another member of the ‘Class of 92’, Butt can be considered as an underrated player for United.
He played almost 400 times for the Red Devils and did a lot of Scholes’ tackling in central midfield.
Left midfield | Ryan Giggs
963 appearances for United. 963! Incredible.
Giggs is simply a United legend with 13 league titles to his name. How Mourinho must wish he had a winger of Giggs’ ability.
Striker | Andy Cole
Cole’s name could be heard being chanted at Sunderland last weekend after he underwent a kidney transplant operation last week.
When he was fit and well, though, he scored 121 goals in 275 appearances for the club and formed a formidable partnership with Yorke.
Striker | Dwight Yorke
It was believed that Yorke and Cole weren’t the best friends off the pitch but their partnershup was incredible on it.
Yorke only spent four seasons at Old Trafford but still managed to score 65 goals during that time.