Having thrilled the crowds for most of this season with Cristiano Ronaldo and Wayne Rooney, it was ironic that Manchester United should win the Premier League title without even kicking a ball on Sunday.

The dazzle of United's attacking football, with 83 goals scored in their 36 games after Saturday's derby win over Manchester City, was the hallmark of the Old Trafford club's 16th championship success.

Ronaldo's surging runs and clever step-overs, which brought him three Player of the Year awards, Rooney's superb finishing and the cutting edge in midfield of Ryan Giggs and Paul Scholes made for an unstoppable package.

The goal tally far outweighed last season's 36-game haul of 68 and was the difference between runners-up spot behind Chelsea and being champions for the first time since 2003.

United's defence also played its part, notably with Nemanja Vidic and Patrice Evra stepping up a level this season at center-half and left-back respectively, while Michael Carrick did an elegant job in the holding midfield role.

Off the pitch, the credit clearly goes to manager Alex Ferguson, whose drive and determination are undimmed despite celebrating his 20th year in the United hotseat in November and his 65th birthday on New Year's Eve.

His grip on the United dressing room remains iron-like and the Scot is still more than ready to cross swords with football officialdom and other managers in defence of his club's interests.

Sunday's triumph marked his 18th major trophy with United and the haul could soon rise to 19 if they beat Chelsea in the FA Cup final at the new Wembley Stadium on May 19.

Certainly, their league form over the past year will give Ferguson's men a psychological edge.

Stung by Chelsea's two consecutive titles, United made their intentions clear right from the start of the season with a 5-1 thrashing of Fulham -- Rooney scoring twice and Ronaldo once.

Three more league wins followed before Ferguson's men faced their first real test against old rivals Arsenal in September.

United failed as Arsene Wenger's side got into their passing rhythm, played the better football and were rewarded with a late winner from Togo striker Emmanuel Adebayor at Old Trafford.

New heights

But the defeat prompted United to reach new heights and was the reason, according to Ferguson, why they beat future Champions League finalists Liverpool 2-0 in another showcase encounter at Old Trafford a month later.

"You know you can't afford to lose a big one again," said the Scot. "The players responded to that. I think their performance was excellent."

In fact, United did not lose in the league again until the week before Christmas, bizarrely going down 1-0 at relegation strugglers West Ham United.

They kept up that momentum despite Arsenal coming from behind to complete the double over them in a pulsating finale at the Emirates in January.

It served as another fillip, with United scoring 10 times without reply in their next three league games.

They have now cantered to the title with a week to spare despite dropping points in the closing stages to Portsmouth and Middlesbrough, and should enjoy visiting Chelsea on Wednesday.

Once tipped as a title decider, United can now expect a guard of honour at Stamford Bridge - two years after Ferguson's men performed the same duty for Chelsea at Old Trafford.

(China Daily via Agencies May 8, 2007)