In the end it came down to football's version of Russian roulette.

And if sport does not come more dramatic then neither does it come more cruel as Edwin van der Sar saved Nicolas Anelka's spot-kick in the tensest of penalty shoot-outs to hand Sir Alex Ferguson and Manchester United the Champions League trophy for the second time.

So wrought were the emotions that van der Sar was enveloped in a sea of red while Cristiano Ronaldo fell flat on his face in the centre circle of the Luzhniki stadium, overwhelmed by his own penalty miss and the emotion of a frantic night.

The clock read a shade after 1.35am local time but the night was young as United's fans prepared to celebrate history in the making once more.

The dramatic circumstances of 1999 in Barcelona will always make Ferguson's first Champions League success unique.

But this was equally memorable.

For one, because it came 40 years after Sir Matt Busby first conquered Europe with United. For another, because in the stands of the Luzhniki stadium sat Sir Bobby Charlton, Albert Scanlon, Harry Gregg, Bill Foulkes, Kenny Morgans, all survivors of the Munich air crash and living, breathing monuments 50 years on of the disaster which has shaped so much of United's history.

One can only imagine the thoughts crossing their minds as once more Ferguson wrapped his arms around the trophy which links United old and United new and Charlton planted a tender kiss on the cheek of United captain Rio Ferdinand.

No doubt what Ferguson was thinking. At last king of Europe again. At last the proof that 1999 and all that was no fluke. At last his United side, perhaps the best of all his teams, have cemented his place as the greatest football manager Britain has ever seen.

Yes, Bob Paisley won three European Cups with Liverpool but he did not back it up with 10 Premier League titles in the way of Ferguson.

And neither did Liverpool thrill the senses like this United side in full flow.

Not that they ever reached full throttle in this final. Far from it. For great swathes of the match Chelsea were the masters. More powerful. More creative too. But when the first goal came after a tortuous first 26 minutes the United football was sublime.

A delightful one-two between Wes Brown and Paul Scholes saw United's right fullback float in a cross which Ronaldo powered past Petr Cech into the net.

It was Ronaldo's 42nd goal of an extraordinary season and only confirmed his credentials as the world's best footballer.

To think there were those before this match who still queried his contribution on the grandest of occasions.

But while United would have increased their lead but for a spectacular double save by Petr Cech from Carlos Tevez and Michael Carrick this Chelsea team know how to battle.

They shrug off setbacks. So often they embrace true ambition only when faced with failure and the thrusting run of Michael Essien just before half-time said so much about their unity.

His shot cannoned off two defenders before reaching Frank Lampard who slid the ball past Edwin van der Saar for the equaliser before kissing his hand and pointing to heaven in an emotional gesture to his mum Pat who died recently.

It was that sort of final. Full of sentiment and emotion and passion too, although not always brimming with technical expertise. A typically tense Premier League-style encounter, if the truth be told.

One in which the crowd, who had braved the arduous journey, enormous expense and the dreariest of days in the Moscow rain, played their part.

But only one set of supporters could return with happy memories. And in the end it came down not to the attacking instincts of United's most blessed individuals, nor to Chelsea's team ethic.

It came down to the luck of the shoot-out. Pity that because Chelsea's power deserved to seize this day, especially when Didier Drogba hit the post with a curling shot sweet enough to win any final.

But then came extra-time. Lampard hit the bar, Terry headed clear a goalbound shot from Ryan Giggs.

Then, after Drogba had been sent off for slapping Nemanja Vidic in a senseless late spat, came the penalties.

And the saddest sight of all, Chelsea captain John Terry slipping as he struck the ball which would have secured glory after four teammates before him had scored.

Terry was inconsolable. United were euphoric.

As for Chelsea, Roman Abramovich slumped back in his seat and playfully grabbed at his heart. And for manager Avram Grant it could mean the end.

He has now overseen a most unwelcome hat-trick. A Carling Cup final defeat followed by final day Premier League disappointment. And now defeat in the one Abramovich wanted most.

Not many survive embarrassment in the Kremlin and Grant wore a face as deathly as the soldiers who guard Lenin's tomb here. No wonder. His future must be precarious following this latest setback just a short metro ride from Red Square.

Replacing Grant would be harsh but Abramovich has spent around £700million and that is a vast sum to be content with second place on all fronts.

May 21, 2008, however, will not be remembered for that. History will recall it as the night Ferguson secured greatness.