Ferguson channelled his anger at having his commitment questioned into delivering the treble the next season

Manchester United’s board were convinced that Sir Alex Ferguson had lost focus the season before the club’s treble win and called the manager back from holiday early in the summer of 1998, according to the former chief executive Martin Edwards.

Unhappy that his commitment was being questioned and his break in the south of France had been cut short by the demands of Edwards and the chairman, Sir Roland Smith, Ferguson threatened to resign but quickly changed his mind. The club went on to win the Premier League, FA Cup and, most famously, the Champions League 20 years ago this Sunday.

Edwards said that the signings of the centre back Jaap Stam and striker Dwight Yorke that summer were also critical to their success but