United the champions as Arsenal collapse

Ferguson's side handed title with a week to spare as relegation-threatened Leeds tear Wenger's defence apart at Highbury

Manchester United yesterday won their eighth Premiership title in 11 years after Arsenal's implosion over the past few weeks was completed as they lost at home to Leeds United.

The United manager, Sir Alex Ferguson, said the achievement was the greatest ever by his players because of the "way we showed the perseverance and determination and the great ability in never giving up. That is what got us the title."

The win also confirms him as the most successful club manager in the history of the English game and completed an astonishing turnaround. Just nine weeks ago – as United were losing the Worthington Cup final – Arsenal had gone eight points clear. Yesterday they were eight points behind. "We went on a fantastic run," Ferguson said. "And you cannot deny teams when they get that kind of spell."

Indeed so, although Arsenal undoubtedly contributed to their own downfall – and they did so again yesterday. An own goal by Ashley Cole, the ball glancing off his head, helped settle matters. Ferguson, who did not watch the match as he was attending his grandson's birthday party, said he had switched on his mobile phone "just as Leeds scored their third goal". A friend had called him and said that there were two minutes to go plus injury time. "I switched it back off again straight away," he joked.

United's striker, Ruud van Nistelrooy, whose hat-trick against Charlton at Old Trafford on Saturday took his season's tally to 43, said: "It's unbelievable that we've won it. We've worked so hard and it's a great feeling, especially after the bad position we were in. They way we won it is unbelievable."

United's captain, Roy Keane, said: "I'm absolutely delighted. I'm proud of all the team. I'd like to thank Sir Alex, Carlos [Quieroz], all the staff and all the supporters for their fantastic support this season."

Arsenal's manager, Arsène Wenger, said that his side had been undone in the run-in by a crippling injury list that had seen them shorn of players such as their captain, Patrick Vieira. "We had too many out to really fight for it," he admitted. "We lost under special circumstances," before adding: "if you miss half the army you are in difficulties." Ferguson also said that injuries had played a part – but pointed out that he had taken the decision earlier in the season to allow players to undergo treatment and surgery so they were ready for the run-in. It was a gamble, but it undoubtedly worked.

The sequence of results in recent weeks for the top two have been astonishing. United have collected 18 points from seven games while Arsenal had picked up just nine. Wenger denied that his players had "thrown it away". "No, that is not true," he said. "We had difficult games and played against teams who had a real go. We did not have any easy games."

The championship was lost, he felt, in the draw at Bolton Wanderers. "That was the turning point," Wenger said. "We were 2-0 up with 15 minutes to go and lost three players and could not get any back." He added: "If we had won at Bolton we would certainly have won the championship."

Although he agreed that United were the "better team because they had won the championship" he also added "there is a very small difference between the two teams. Overall we are the best team in England".

There was also a great sense of grievance. "I feel we have been unlucky and badly done by," he said. His list of complaints started with the four-match suspension of Sol Campbell following his elbowing of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer – "Sol is in prison," he joked – followed by a statement that he felt United's run-in was easier. "I don't think they were flying Manchester United," Wenger said. "Their last two games were easy."

He also made reference to the financial gulf between the two clubs – 'We have 50 per cent of the budget of Manchester United," he said. "I hope we find a magician." Changes will be made – additions are undoubtedly needed in defence – although Wenger said his main job will be to hold on to his best players. Several are out of contract soon, others are ageing.

The task ahead is a difficult one especially as he has a relatively small squad. Did he regret saying after last season's double that there was a shift of power? "We do not want to be second best; we want to be the best," he said. "I know that in this country it looks like arrogance when it simply ambition."

The exit from the Champions' League also took its toll. While Ferguson said that his players had reacted with excitement to the games against Real Madrid, even though they lost the tie, Arsenal have been pre-occupied by their frustration in not reaching the knock-out stages – especially as Wenger had claimed that his team was close to achieving greatest. Such perceived arrogance has been used as a weapon by Ferguson – never a man short of adopting whatever psychological tools he can acquire.

Wenger has also probably suffered from his players' success in the FA Cup. Despite having rested some players he was forced to field Vieira, for example, in the quarter-final replay against Chelsea even though he was nursing an injury which has ultimately accounted for the rest of his season. Arsenal still have that final to look forward to later this month. But it will feel like scant consolation this morning.