Manchester United win Premier League title

Man Utd 0 Arsenal 0. Manchester United wrapped up their third successive Premier League title yesterday with a draw at Old Trafford. But the home team failed to trouble Lukasz Fabianski’s goal throughout the match, and not for the first time, United achieved their aims with the minimum of expended effort.

Robin van Persie and Cesc Fabregas both wasted good chances to put Arsenal ahead and force Man Utd’s title struggle into the final week. Even though Arsenal looked marginally more dangerous, and despite lacklustre performances from Man Utd’s most dangerous players – Wayne Rooney and Carlos Tevez among them – the home team’s defence remained solid around Nemanja Vidic and only nervy United fans could have seriously thought they would be denied.

The new champions can now concentrate on becoming the first team to defend a Champions’ League title when they play Barcelona in Rome in a fortnight.

Yesterday, United equalled Liverpool’s achievement of taking 18 titles. But with Rafa Benitez’s team giving them a run for their money this season, not to mention United’s difficulties when playing against top-table rivals, they shouldn’t count on beating Liverpool’s record by this time next year.

WHAT THEY'RE SAYING:Duncan White, Sunday Telegraph: It has been coming with the remorseless power of a rumbling tectonic shift but that should not undermine the scale of the adjustment: Manchester United won their 18th title on Saturday, drawing level with their great rivals Liverpool. This was not just another title – this was about power relations on a grand scale. No longer can Liverpool look regally down on United as the kings of the domestic game. “Are you watching Merseyside,” was the roar from the Old Trafford stands. ·