Edwin savours JJB drama

Sunday's title triumph at the JJB Stadium eclipses last season's Premier League success, according to goalkeeper Edwin van der Sar.

United clinched the 2006/07 title when Chelsea failed to beat Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium, while the Reds' players watched events unfold on television rather than out on the pitch.

"It is so much better to actually win it on the day," said the Dutchman. "This feels so much better than last year.

"I was grateful to win it last year and I was very happy but this has felt so much better. It might mean having to go through a few anxieties but it was all worth it."

A clean sheet at the JJB Stadium laid the foundations for United's 2-0 win, setting a club record for the lowest number of goals conceded in a league season. While delighted to concede just 22 times, van der Sar was adamant that it would have meant nothing at all if United hadn't seen out the season with victory over Wigan.

"Defensive records are not a major thing unless you win something at the end of it all," he said. "When I was at Juventus we had the best defensive record in Serie A in the two years I was in Turin, but we didn't win the league either campaign so it didn't mean a thing.

"If we had lost the title on the last day to Chelsea then our great record wouldn't have added up to much either. It would have gone down in the record books but I couldn't have celebrated it.

"It's all very nice when they bring you silverware, so it is special now. This defence have worked very well together this season. We have a lot of quality in the department.

"As a defence we have done well but that is because we have had others in the team working hard to help us. Likewise, the forwards score because the defence gives them a sound base. It is a team thing and it is a great team."