In a league of their own as United grab title 19

ANOTHER Premier League title in the bag for Manchester United, but this was more than just another championship.

It was the day they overhauled Liverpool’s 18 titles to become English football’s most successful club.

If that wasn’t enough, how typical of Manchester United to steal their neighbours’ limelight.

With the blue half of Manchester celebrating their FA Cup success, the Red Devils were having their own party.

And few can begrudge them. Because the table doesn’t lie. Supposedly, this has been a mediocre season, where United have been the best of a below-par league.

While yielding just five away wins doesn’t usually count for champions, their home form has got them over the line.

Draws on their travels have been Alex Ferguson’s biggest bug-bearer this season. Normally they would eke out a win, by hook or crook, but it hasn’t happened.

Instead sharing the spoils has been the norm.

Only this time there was nobody arguing at such a stalemate.

Ewood Park was the ground where the title slipped through Man United’s fingers last season.

It was almost a year to the day when a goalless draw against Blackburn all but gifted Chelsea the title.

This time, not even a draw could save Chelsea from seeing their trophy being wrestled back.

“We missed out here last season and lost the league so we wanted to make up for it,” said defender Rio Ferdinand.

“We gave away a soft goal but we have great character.

“You know to get a result you have to sometimes work for it, which we had to do here.

“To get it done makes it a lot easier for the manager.

“Some people say we haven’t been as good as than past seasons. But I think it’s a better league where the bottom can beat the top. It makes it more exciting.”

Answering the critics was a theme running through Manchester United after clinching the point they required here.

Their season has been far from vintage, but once again they are at the summit when it matters most.

And now Ferguson has challenged his players to make those doubters eat their words by going on to complete a double by lifting the Champions League trophy on May 28.

“It’s difficult to say where they stand, we have had some great teams at this club,” revealed the Manchester United manager.

“The 1994 team, the one in 1999 stand out but all the teams we have had here have risen to the challenge, which at this club is to win things.

“Some of the young players had their first trophy today and that gives them the impetus to move on and realise what being a Manchester United player involves.

“Beating Barcelona would end all arguments about this team — and that is their challenge at Wembley.

“There is nothing wrong with accepting challenges, we are good at that. It doesn’t matter where they come from, you have to stand up to the mark.

“I think that hunger will always be there because that is my job. We try to select properly and we try to produce players properly. All the players we have produced through the years have had that quality, that hunger.”

That hunger drives Manchester United on. But even the most ardent fan must have felt the champagne would remain on ice a little longer here before their controversial late reprieve.

After Nani’s early header had bounced back off the crossbar, Manchester United looked strangely lacklustre and it was no surprise to see Brett Emerton fire Blackburn ahead after further indecision in the visitors’ defence.

Manchester United struggled for ideas and were fortunate not to fall further behind as Martin Olsson headed against the post before the 73rd minute penalty incident that left Blackburn fuming.

Javier Hernandez was adjudged to have been tripped by Blackburn goalkeeper Paul Robinson and, after much deliberation, referee Phil Dowd pointed to the penalty spot after consultation with assistant Andy Halliday.

Rooney sent Robinson the wrong way as the party started to ensure the title would be sealed in the penultimate game of the season.

While the Red Devils celebrated with their 7,000-travelling supporters, Blackburn trooped off wondering what could have been.

Despite picking up a key point here, results elsewhere leave Blackburn still not safe from relegation and they now face a nerve-jangling final-day trip to fellow strugglers Wolves.

“We need to put in a performance there which we have put in during the last eight games,” said Blackburn manager Steve Kean.

“With another performance like this, the points will come. I’m convinced we can do it and I’m confident if we play the way we have in the last eight games, we will get at least a point.

“It’s a massive game for the club. We have to maintain our status. We are just disappointed not to get what we deserved from our performances.

“We don’t want to be in this position. It’s been a bizarre season with so many twists and turns but hopefully we can see it through.”