2008 UCL final: Manchester United vs. Chelsea — Where are they?

On 21 May 2008, Premier League clubs Chelsea and Manchester United made their stand at the Luzhniki Stadium for the UEFA Champions League final, and today, their stand is history.

But whatever happened to those who stood in front of thousands just before Ľuboš Micheľ  blew his whistle?

The 2008 UEFA Champions League final between Manchester United and Chelsea, held in Moscow, remains one of the most dramatic in football history. United triumphed in a tense penalty shootout after a 1-1 draw, securing their third European Cup and last Champions League title till date.

The match was filled with top talent on both sides, many of whom went on to have storied careers, while others faded from the limelight. Some have been embroiled in scandals, while others have settled into quiet lives.

Here’s a look at the starting players from both Chelsea and Manchester United that iconic final, where they are now, and how their careers and personal lives unfolded:

Read More:

TopNaija’s Premier League Wrap-up: Week 3

Chelsea, Manchester United eye audacious swap deal

Manchester United Starting XI

1. Edwin van der Sar (Goalkeeper)
   • Then: Van der Sar played a crucial role in United’s Champions League victory, saving Nicolas Anelka’s penalty in the shootout.
   • Now: After retiring in 2011, Van der Sar became a football executive. He’s currently the CEO of AFC Ajax, where he also enjoyed success as a player. He leads a quiet, scandal-free life, focusing on club management.
2. Wes Brown (Right-back)
   • Then: A dependable defender for Manchester United, Brown provided the assist for Cristiano Ronaldo’s opening goal against Chelsea in the final.
   • Now: Brown’s post-playing career has seen him step into punditry and coaching. He leads a quiet life, free of major controversies.
3. Rio Ferdinand (Centre-back)
   • Then: Ferdinand was one of the top defenders in Europe, captaining United for much of the final.
   • Now: Ferdinand is now a respected football pundit for BT Sport. He’s faced personal tragedy with the death of his wife, Rebecca, but has otherwise maintained a clean public image, though his social media presence occasionally stirs debate.
4. Nemanja Vidić (Centre-back)
   • Then: The Serbian defender was a rock at the back for United and was instrumental throughout the 2007–08 season.
   • Now: Vidić retired in 2016 and has largely stayed out of the public eye, leading a quiet life. He occasionally appears in interviews but has avoided major controversies.
5. Patrice Evra (Left-back)
   • Then: Evra was United’s tireless left-back, known for his leadership and defensive prowess.
   • Now: After retirement, Evra became a popular social media personality, known for his humor. However, he was involved in a controversy when he was banned by UEFA for kicking a fan while playing for Marseille in 2017.
6. Owen Hargreaves (Midfield)
   • Then: Hargreaves, though plagued by injuries, played a key role in United’s midfield in 2008, and he scored a penalty in the shootout.
   • Now: Hargreaves has transitioned into punditry, working for BT Sport. His career was marred by persistent injuries, leading to early retirement in 2012.
7. Paul Scholes (Midfield)
   • Then: Scholes missed the 1999 final through suspension, so playing in the 2008 final was a personal triumph.
   • Now: After retiring in 2013 (for the second time), Scholes became a pundit and briefly managed Oldham Athletic. He is known for living a quiet, controversy-free life, though his short managerial stint drew mixed reviews.
8. Michael Carrick (Midfield)
   • Then: Carrick was a composed presence in United’s midfield during the final.
   • Now: Carrick retired in 2018 and moved into coaching. He briefly managed Middlesbrough after holding coaching roles at Manchester United. Carrick leads a quiet, professional life, free from scandal.
9. Cristiano Ronaldo (Forward)
   • Then: Ronaldo scored United’s only goal in the final and was named Man of the Match, despite missing his penalty in the shootout.
   • Now: Ronaldo’s career trajectory post-2008 has been legendary. He became one of the greatest players in football history, winning five Ballon d’Ors and setting numerous records. However, he has faced personal controversies, including a legal case related to an accusation of sexual assault in 2009, which was later dropped. Currently in 2024, Ronaldo is still making history and breaking records.
10. Wayne Rooney (Forward)
    • Then: Rooney was United’s talismanic striker, known for his work rate and goal-scoring prowess.
    • Now: Rooney transitioned into management, having managed Derby County, Birmingham City and now Plymouth Argyle. His career had occasional personal scandals, including drinking-related incidents, but he remains a respected figure in football.
11. Carlos Tevez (Forward)
    • Then: Tevez was a key figure in United’s attack and successfully converted his penalty in the shootout.
    • Now: After leaving United controversially for Manchester City, Tevez had a successful career, including a stint in China. He retired in 2022 and has lived a quieter life since.

Chelsea Starting XI

1. Petr Čech (Goalkeeper)
   • Then: Čech had a solid game in goal for Chelsea, saving Cristiano Ronaldo’s penalty in the shootout.
   • Now: After retiring, Čech briefly pursued a career in ice hockey and worked as a technical advisor at Chelsea. He has largely avoided controversy and leads a quiet life.
2. Michael Essien (Midfield)
   • Then: Essien was a powerful presence in Chelsea’s midfield in 2008.
   • Now: After a journeyman career, Essien has moved into coaching, working with Nordsjælland in Denmark. He leads a quiet, scandal-free life.
3. Frank Lampard (Midfield)
   • Then: Lampard scored Chelsea’s only goal in the final.
   • Now: Lampard transitioned into management, leading Chelsea, Everton and Derby County. He has had no major scandals and remains a respected figure in football.
4. Claude Makélélé (Midfield)
   • Then: Makélélé was Chelsea’s defensive midfield lynchpin.
   • Now: Makélélé has gone into coaching and management and leads a low-profile life, free from controversy.
5. John Terry (Centre-back)
   • Then: Terry, then Chelsea captain, infamously slipped and missed the decisive penalty in the shootout, making him the villain against Manchester United.
   • Now: Terry retired and moved into coaching, having worked at Aston Villa. His career was marred by controversies, including a high-profile affair scandal in 2010 and accusations of racial abuse involving Anton Ferdinand, for which he was found not guilty in court.
6. Ricardo Carvalho (Centre-back)
   • Then: Carvalho was a reliable figure in Chelsea’s defense.
   • Now: Carvalho transitioned into coaching, serving as an assistant at Marseille and AS Monaco. He keeps a low public profile.
7. Ashley Cole (Left-back)
   • Then: Cole was widely regarded as one of the best left-backs in the world at the time.
   • Now: After retiring, Cole became a pundit and coach. His career had some personal scandals, including his high-profile divorce from pop star Cheryl Cole, but he remains a respected football figure.
8. Florent Malouda (Midfield)
   • Then: Malouda was a key attacking threat for Chelsea in 2008.
   • Now: Malouda had a journeyman career post-Chelsea and is now involved in coaching. He leads a quiet life.
9. Didier Drogba (Forward)
   • Then: Drogba was Chelsea’s iconic striker and was sent off in extra time of the final.
   • Now: Drogba has pursued philanthropic efforts and worked in football development post-retirement. He remains a respected figure, free from controversy.
10. Salomon Kalou (Forward)
    • Then: Kalou was a pacey forward for Chelsea in 2008.
    • Now: After a journeyman career, Kalou retired and has kept a low profile, living a quiet life.
11. Joe Cole (Forward)
    • Then: Cole was a creative force in Chelsea’s attack.
    • Now: After retirement, Cole moved into punditry and coaching, leading a low-profile life.

The 2008 Champions League final featured some of the most iconic players of the era, many of whom went on to have illustrious careers. While a few, like John Terry and Cristiano Ronaldo, have been involved in controversies, most have transitioned smoothly into retirement or new roles in football. Many have lived quiet, scandal-free lives, contributing to football as coaches, pundits, or executives.