When Man United 'killed' the FA Cup: How Red Devils caused furore by playing in FIFA Club World Cup precursor

The year 1999 will never be forgotten in Manchester United history. It was, of course, when Sir Alex Ferguson's team, boasting the fabled Class of 92 at its core, achieved footballing immortality.

No English club had ever achieved the treble before: winning the top flight of English football, the FA Cup, and Europe's premier competition — the UEFA Champions League, previously known as the European Cup — in the same season.

United had done it in serious style, winning the Premier League on the final day of the campaign before sinking Bayern Munich in the most dramatic Champions League final, scoring two stoppage-time goals to win 2-1 at Camp Nou.

Twenty-four years on, Manchester City begin their FIFA Club World Cup challenge in similar circumstances, having claimed an historic treble in 2022/23 to secure their place at this tournament.

Yet Pep Guardiola's side have avoided the significant dose of controversy that came United's way when they competed in the Club World Cup's precursor tournament, the FIFA Club World Championship, at the expense of defending their FA Cup title.

The Sporting News tells the story of United's participation in the inaugural FIFA Club World Cup and why they were accused of killing the FA Cup in the process.

Which teams are competing in the 2023 FIFA Club World Cup?

Back in 2000, a competition that FIFA dubbed the Club World Championship was launched. After some teething problems, it eventually morphed into the FIFA Club World Cup that has been running annually since 2005.

Before it, the Intercontinental Cup had existed, which pitted the winners of the Champions League (or European Cup) against their equivalents from South America in a one-off game. In fact, United had competed in it — and won it —