Manchester United have won the UEFA Champions League after a penalty shoot-out victory against Chelsea. A pulsating game saw Cristiano Ronaldo put United ahead on 26 minutes and Carlos Tevez squander two great chances in the first half. Frank Lampard levelled on 45 and then both Lampard and Didier Drogba hit the woodwork before the Chelsea striker was sent off in extra-time for slapping Nemanja Vidic. Towards the end of the game, Ryan Giggs who stepped off the bench to surpassed Bobby Charlton’s all-time appearance record for United saw his moment of glory snatched from his grasp by a desperate, but remarkable, goal-line clearance from John Terry.

Despite the best efforts of both teams neither could force a further breakthrough and the biggest game in European football went to penalties. Edwin Van Der Sar proved to be the hero for the Red Devils as he pushed away Nicolas Anelka’s sudden-death effort to ensure that the trophy is heading back to Old Trafford for the first time in nine years.

Manchester United’s manager, Sir Alex Ferguson, dedicated Manchester United’s dramatic Champions League triumph to the memory of the Busby Babes. United lifted the trophy last night 50 years after the Munich air disaster which cost 23 lives, including eight of Sir Matt Busby’s famous team.  And boss Ferguson, who also guided United to Euro glory in 1999, admitted: “It was such an emotional occasion. I said the day before the game we would not let the memory of the Busby Babes down.

Manchester United started well and seems to settle down early than the Blues but despite enjoying the lion’s share of possession, United were finding clear cut chances hard to come by. However, they finally broke the deadlock in the 26^th minutes when Wes Brown and Paul Scholes worked a wonderful one two on the right before Brown floated over a teasing cross which was met by the head of Cristiano Ronaldo who powered the ball into the bottom corner.

United should have gone 2 or 3 up if not for Carlos Tevez wasting a couple of clear cut chances in front of goal plus some brilliant saves from Chelsea goal keeper, Petr Cech. Those misses could yet turn costly for the Red Devils when Chelsea levelled the score just before the half time. Frank Lampard, the subject of much speculation over his future this week, was the scorer after a speculative Michael Essien shot had cannoned off the back of Rio Ferdinand and fell into the path of the England man. Lampard coolly slotted home to take the sides into the interval, level at one a piece.

Chelsea came out much stronger after the break and really began to dictate the pace of the game. United were on the back foot on most occasions in the second half and the fans were getting nervous towards the end of 90 minutes. Chelsea came close of grabbing the lead with 12 minutes remaining after great work by Drogba. He shrugged off three challenges before whipping a 25-yard, right-foot drive beyond Van der Sar and away off a post.

Chelsea also hit the bar in extra-time. Lampard turned beautifully, clipped his shot over Van der Sar and put his head in his hands as the ball bounced to safety. Then Terry headed away a Giggs strike which was going in, and the game went to penalty shoot out. There was enough time, however, for Drogba to get himself sent off for a petulant slap on Nemanja Vidic.

Van der Sar then ensured that it would be United who lifted the trophy when he pushed away Anelka’s sudden-death effort to hand the Red Devils a 6-5 victory.

YOU’VE SIGNED THE PLAYER WHO WILL MAKE YOU BEST IN EUROPE

Cristiano Ronaldo’s fantasy journey with Manchester United ends in Moscow tonight. It began in a small, cramped room at Sporting Lisbon’s stadium and reaches its peak in the biggest club match of all.  From the boot room to the best – and that is what Ronaldo must prove if United are to be crowned the kings of Europe again. This match is exactly why Sir Alex Ferguson fought so hard to sign Ronaldo back in the summer of 2003 when United had faced the youngster with the dancing feet in a pre-season friendly. - Reported by  Daily Star

Stop Ron and Blues Will Be Winners

IF Ashley Cole can shackle Cristiano Ronaldo like he did the other week, Chelsea will win the Champions League final tonight. That battle will be the key in Moscow, assuming Claude Makelele’s reckless challenge in training yesterday has not done any serious harm. Cole was magnificent when Chelsea beat Manchester United 2-1 in the Premier League at Stamford Bridge on April 26. He is probably the only full-back in the world who relishes a battle with the Footballer of the Year right now. - Reported by The Sun

Ferguson In Babes Vow

ALEX FERGUSON has told the Munich air disaster survivors: “We’ll not let you down.” It is 50 years since the crash that claimed 23 lives and eight Busby Babes. Five survivors of that team will be watching in Moscow tonight — Harry Gregg, Kenny Morgans, Bill Foulkes, Albert Scanlon and Sir Bobby Charlton. And United boss Fergie said: “We are proud representing the history in this club and we will not let them down. I’d rather be at a club with a great history. “It may weigh heavy upon us but I’d rather have that than be at a club with no history at all.” - Reported by The Sun

Fergie: It’s Written In The Tsars

ALEX FERGUSON believes fate will decree that Manchester United lift the Champions League trophy tonight. This year marks the 50th anniversary of the Munich air disaster. It is 40 years since United first won the European Cup. In 1999 they won the tournament on Sir Matt Busby’s birthday — May 26. And when United clinched the Premier League title at Wigan on May 11, it was 25 years to the day since Ferguson won his first European trophy as Aberdeen beat Real Madrid on a soaking night in Gothenburg to lift the Cup-Winners’ Cup. - Reported by The Sun