Robson salutes the class of ’08

FORMER Manchester United captain Bryan Robson believes the current crop of players at Old Trafford are the equal of their 1999 treble-winning counterparts.

Alex Ferguson steered a team which featured the likes of Peter Schmeichel, David Beckham and Roy Keane to the treble of league, FA Cup and European Cup.

With only four games remaining in the Barclays Premier League, United look favourites to retain the domestic title and face Barcelona in the semi-finals of the Champions League.

And Robson, who was United’s club captain when they won the Premier League in 1993, believes Old Trafford’s class of 2008 are among the finest in the club’s illustrious history.

“When you talk about the 1999 team that won the treble, this group are right alongside them. They’ve got so many great attacking players,” Robson said.

“I think they can obviously get close to the achievements of the 1999 side. They’re in a great position in the league championship at the moment.

“Even if they only win two games, draw one and lose one the title is theirs. Plus the goal difference could come into play which is a great advantage for United.”

In an ominous prediction for United’s rivals, the man who made nearly 500 appearances for the club is confident that success this season will spur the team on to even greater heights.

“They will continue to improve because there are some young players who haven’t been at United very long,” Robson explained.

“If they do go on and win the double this year that will give them confidence to go and to achieve even more.

“At this moment in time, they probably have the best player in the world in Ronaldo. It helps when you have a player of that calibre in the team.”

United can move a step closer to retaining their title when they face Blackburn tomorrow ahead of the first leg of their semi-final meeting with Barcelona.

Robson said United will not get any freebies from his former team-mate and current Ewood Park boss Mark Hughes while the Catalans will provide a tough test.

He said: “Sparky (Hughes) has got something to play for. Blackburn are still going for a European place. He’ll want three points so his team can climb the league.

“Barcelona have got top players in Eto’o and Messi but I think they struggle to defend and that will help United. On current form, United will go through.”

Since March, Robson has been employed in an ambassadorial role at Old Trafford and admits that he does not expect Ferguson to vacate his office down the corridor too soon.

“Even if United win the double this year, Sir Alex will not retire,” Robson added.

“I think he will keep going on as long as his health is good – it’s his life managing Manchester United.”