Red Devils bask in Euro glory

Keeper and skipper relive Champions League triumph

By Chris Burton   Last updated: 21st May 2008

Edwin van der Sar Manchester United

Van der Sar: United hero

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Edwin van der Sar and Rio Ferdinand have revealed their delight at helping Manchester United win the UEFA Champions League.

Dutch keeper Van der Sar proved to be the hero in a thrilling European showdown with Chelsea, which went all the way to a penalty shoot-out.

The towering shot-stopper kept out Nicloas Anelka's sudden-death spot kick to ensure that the Red Devils were singing in the Moscow rain.

The Blues striker looked far from confident as he made the long walk forward and Van der Sar insists that he could tell which way the Frenchman was going to put his effort.

"I think I knew it," he told Sky Sports.

Experience

The Dutch international took the title with Ajax in 2005, before falling at the final hurdle a year later. He admits that those experiences have made him stronger and was delighted to get his hands back on the famous trophy.

"It's fantastic," he said.

"I won it 13 years ago, lost it 12 year ago, so I have experienced the highs and lows.

"But to win it now after such a long time with these players, with the crowd and everything, it's amazing."

Dreams

Ferdinand captained United to their greatest achievement in nine years and admitted that the tension was beginning to get to the players towards the end of the game.

"It was nerve wracking," he said.

"All the fans have travelled so far, it's such a difficult place to get to, but look at everyone, and they have got what they deserve."

The England international joined an elite group of men to have skippered the Red Devils to European glory and revealed that he was honoured to have been handed such responsibility.

"This is the stuff you dream about," he said,

"Everyone talks about how good it is to be footballer; these are the times it's great to play football."