Sir Alex Ferguson delight at record Man Utd title crown

Sir Alex Ferguson revelled in his Manchester United side becoming the most successful English club in domestic competition.

United drew at Blackburn on Saturday to clinch a 19th league title as they overtook Liverpool's tally of 18.

"It's not so much passing Liverpool," said Ferguson.

"It's more important that United are the best team in the country in terms of winning titles."

He added: "That thing about knocking Liverpool off their perch, I don't think I actually said it.

"It's the same with the FA Cup. We have won it more times than everyone and now we have won the Premier League more times than anyone."

Ferguson, 69, took over the Old Trafford club in 1986 when Liverpool were the dominant force in the English game.

The Merseysiders won the title in 1989/1990 to open up an 18-7 lead over United but since then the Reds have failed to add to their titles, while Ferguson has masterminded a trophy-laden rise for their bitter rivals.

The Scot ended a 26-year wait for the league title at Old Trafford when he led his side to the first top-flight crown under his regime in 1993 and the Red Devils have won it 12 times in all in his tenure.

BBC football pundit Alan Hansen said on Match of the Day: "It's his greatest achievement, to win it with that team.

"Had he been manager of any of the other top four sides, they would be Champions. He epitomises team work and team spirit, he proves it time and time again. They aren't lucky they are really good under pressure."

Ryan Giggs, 37, has played a major part in each of United's 12 successes and was keen to emphasise the importance of the latest triumph.

"It means a lot, especially for the older supporters who through the 1970s and 1980s watching Liverpool win everything," said the winger.

"Now, obviously, the tables are turned. We've done so well over the last 20 years so to overturn that sort of deficit, to get to 19, is special and the fans know that."

The latest United team to have won the title have been criticised for not being as good as former side's Ferguson has produced as, despite winning 17 of 18 home games, they have only won five away during the current campaign.

"It is not fair to say it's a bad Manchester United team or a bad league," said Ferguson, whose side have also reached this season's Champions League final on 28 May. "It is a tighter league, a harder league to win.

"Any campaign has got blips for anyone. You have got to look at the league in general."

At one point this season, United were on course to match the Premier League, Champions League and FA Cup side of 1999.

But they were knocked out of the FA Cup at the semi-final stage by eventual winners Manchester City and, although they came close, Ferguson played down comparing his current crop with that of his Treble winners.

"Let's not get carried away," he said. "The treble season was something special. I don't think anyone will ever do it again.

"We made a go at it, as a manager of the club, you have to try that.

"But I didn't think it would happen. I thought we would get knocked out somewhere along the line. Fortunately it was the one you would want to win least of all because the Premier League and the Champions League are paramount."

Ferguson's side play their final home game of the season against relegation-battling Blackpool next Sunday ahead of the Champions League final six days later.

The United boss could rest players for the game but, with relegation issues depending on the result of the game, Ferguson insists his side will try to win.

"It gives us a real opportunity to look at how we can rest players and who needs to keep going," he said.

"We have a responsibility to make sure we are fair to all clubs in the country who are struggling relegation.

"Manchester United will try to win next Sunday, there is no doubt about that."