Kings of Europe for a third time

The Champions League final in Moscow proved to be an exciting affair albeit not a classic one.

Given the familiarity between Chelsea and United impartial onlookers were treated to an open game with enough chances at both ends to keep interest alive.

Whether it was a game between two high quality sides is a different question and in light of how many times the ball was given away any purist would be sceptical of this particular claim.

In the world of horse racing the quality of the Classics are determined by the distance of victory and should several horses finish in a group then that season’s crop are classed as average. It is not possible it is believed to have great champions at the same time, it is more likely that they are just very good.

This is why we remember Shergar who won by a mile a lot more than say Benny The Dip who won by a short head from two other horses.

The same can be said for football. Whilst no one would argue the two teams are not very good ones, it is difficult to draw the conclusion that they are great ones. Compared to the great European sides such as AC Milan in the nineties, Liverpool in the eighties and Real Madrid in the sixties they fall short.

That they were the best two teams in Europe this year is not in question and of the two, United are more likely to make that transition to become a great team, not least because the London club will probably lose many of its best players during the summer. Ferguson has collected a top group of players and if the right additions to the squad are made then they have every chance of winning again next year and in a more emphatic style. This is the main motivator for Ferguson to stay on as manager.

That Ronaldo is the best player in the world is of little dispute, Real Madrid’s desperate attempts to lure him to the Spanish capital is proof of this, but is he a great player? Would Maradona or Zidane miss two crucial penalties when put under the most intense pressure as Ronaldo did last week and against Barcelona in the semi-final? Probably not. Again, he could progress to this level but currently he falls short. As for Rooney, it is difficult to imagine him being considered one of the best whilst he continues to disappoint on too many occasions.

As the saying goes, the match itself was a game of two halves with United dominating the first 45 minutes and could have had the result secured had Tevez been more clinical in front of goal.

A fortunate break for Chelsea just before the break meant they could regroup during the interval without worrying about how to get back in the game.

A different side came out for the second half, not least Essien who had had a torrid time against Ronaldo, but pushing further up field resulted in the Portuguese forward becoming more and more peripheral.

A superb strike from Drogba that hit the post could have won the match for Chelsea but mostly Vidic and Ferdinand kept good chances to a minimum and the game deservedly went into extra time. Chelsea hit the post again through Lampard but United also had chances but both goalkeepers held firm and the game went to penalties.

It’s a slightly unsatisfactory way to end such an important game but it is still the best way and some even argue it is football at its purest – one individual trying to score with no obstacles other than a six foot goalkeeper in his way. Add the enormous pressure and you have tension and drama in equal measure.

Chelsea captain Terry had the chance to win it but slipped and hit the post, at this point most Chelsea fans must have realised it was not their night, and when Anelka had his penalty saved the trophy was United’s and Ferguson could finally lay some of the underachieving accusations to rest.

Sport at the highest level is won by fractions as it was in this case but United did beat Lyon, Roma and Barcelona on their way to the final so it cannot be said they did not deserve it and, of all the teams who took part in the competition, they have been the most dominating - so all in all it was a satisfactory outcome.

Whether they go on next year to become a great side we will have to wait and see but the opportunity is there and if Ferguson can achieve the right formula it could be again a very exciting season at Old Trafford.