Can United recreate 1999?

Manchester United's 2-1 win over Reading saw them comfortably into the next round of the FA Cup, but in reality it could've been more. Sir Alex Ferguson's side absolutely battered the Royals from first minute to last and could have been 2-0 up within the first three minutes had it not been for the goalkeeping heroics of Adam Federici.

With a quarter final encounter set up against either Chelsea or Middlesbrough, not to mention the 12 point gap between themselves and Manchester City at the summit of the Premier League and the away goal netted in the 1-1 draw with Real Madrid at the Estadio Santiago Bernabeu last week, it leaves United with a superb chance of recreating their exploits from 1999.

A quick history lesson for those blissfully unaware; United secured Premier League, FA Cup and Champions League glory, the latter in spectacular fashion, to secure an unprecedented fashion and one that saw Sir Alex receive his knighthood.

Ferguson has praised his squad in recent weeks, suggesting they're as strong as their 1999 counterparts, despite the lack of strength in midfield. While David Beckham, Nicky Butt and Roy Keane provide a stronger, harmonious balance in the middle of the park in comparison to Antonio Valencia, Michael Carrick and Darren Fletcher, the quality running through the ranks at Old Trafford is evident.

So can 1999 be recreated in 2013? Of course. Ferguson has a strong squad at his disposal consisting of the likes of Robin van Persie, Shinji Kagawa and Wayne Rooney and victory over QPR on Saturday, coupled with progression to the quarter finals of the Champions League, and fans will begin to believe that the spirit of the squad 14 years ago can guide them to glory once again.

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