The treble season; that was the starting point for Sir Alex Ferguson yesterday. When the conversation turns to 1999, and the comparisons are coming from Ferguson himself to the forward line he had at his disposal for that campaign, one that rampaged its way through Europe, the mood at Old Trafford is not difficult to read.
Make no mistake, landing Robin van Persie is right up there with the acquisition of Eric Cantona back in 1992, when winning had become a forgotten art-form for the country's biggest club. A brilliant manager buying a brilliant player will always make sense.
It is three months since Ferguson stood on the pitch at the Stadium of Light on the final day of the season and heard a roar in the far corner of the ground, a noise that told him Manchester City had scored a third goal. His resolve hardened right there in front of those watching.
The rising Japanese player Shinji Kagawa has arrived, Danny Welbeck is close to signing a new contract, and Tom Cleverley is fit again. The first two offer reasons to believe Ferguson's hunger remains as great as ever, but the pursuit and subsequent landing of Van Persie, Arsene Wenger's golden boy, should ring out as a warning to every club side in European football. Lest we forget, Wayne Rooney was ready to leave Old Trafford 19 months ago. Manchester City sensed a possibility of taking their rivals' greatest player, a move that could arguably have been more significant than taking their rivals' title.
Within a week he had signed a five-year deal. Ferguson had flexed his muscle. Now Rooney has Van Persie, the best player in English football, Welbeck, possibly England's next centre-forward, and the livewire Mexican Javier Hernandez to form a quartet which, given time, could compete with the one he spoke so glowingly of.