A nail-biting penalty shoot-out clinched the Champions League title for the Reds after a closely fought all-English final in front of 42,000 British fans.

Both teams had thought victory was within their grasp as the match played out, so Chelsea fans said they felt stunned when a save by United goalkeeper Edwin van der Sar destroyed their dreams.

Portuguese winger Cristiano Ronaldo opened the scoring for United after 26 minutes, but England international Frank Lampard equalised for Chelsea on the stroke of half-time.

Chelsea's 21,000 travelling fans endured seeing their side hit the woodwork twice - and their hopes faded when striker Didier Drogba was sent off for striking Nemanja Vidic.

There was only despair for the Blues when United goalkeeper Edwin van der Sar saved the final penalty at 1.35am local time.

Seconds after United became the champions of Europe for the third time in their history, manager Sir Alex Ferguson said: "That is the first penalty shoot-out I have ever won."

The triumphant team were led up to collect the trophy by Manchester United legend and England World Cup winner Sir Bobby Charlton.

United fans streaming away from the stadium were in jubilant mood. Simon Green, 50, a self-employed bricklayer from Leamington Spa, Warwickshire, said: "I'm absolutely ecstatic. I don't think I have ever been so nervous in my entire life as during the penalty shoot-out."

Chelsea fan Peter Slade, 56, a printer from Surbiton, Surrey, said: "I am just stunned. I just can't believe this has happened."