Man. United's European dream shattered in Rome

Manchester United were hoping to create history by becoming the first club to defend the Champions League since the competition was revamped in the early nineties but their dream was shattered by Barcelona who beat them 2-0 in last week's final in Rome.

Yet, the 2008-09 season was surely a successful one for Alex Ferguson's side as United retained the Premier League crown, lifted the League Cup and won the title of world club champions in December.

They also made it to the last four of the FA Cup and lost the Super Cup final against Russian side Zenit St Petersburg.

Ferguson will surely stay at the United helm and will use all his experience and know-how to bring more honours to Old Trafford.

In his 22 years at United, Ferguson has built three great sides but he rates the current squad as the best.

The other two great United teams were the Premier League winners of 1993 and 1994, the side that ended the club's 26-year wait for the championship crown, and the vintage crop that brought the Champions League to Old Trafford for a second time in 1999.

United, Liverpool and Chelsea, the top three teams in the Premier League, will compete in the Champions League group stages next season.

They will be joined by Arsenal who will start their European adventure in the third qualifying round.

England's three Europa League (old UEFA Cup) places have been claimed by Everton, Aston Villa and Fulham, who finished fifth, sixth and seventh respectively.

The north-east has lost two representatives in the Premier League for next season following the relegation of Newcastle and Middlesbrough. West Bromwich Albion have also lost their top-flight status.

The trophies

The main honours in the English game were captured as follows:

Community Shield: Manchester United.

League Cup: Manchester United.

Johnstone's Paint Trophy: Luton Town.

Football League title: Wolves.

Premiership championship: Manchester United.

FA Cup: Chelsea.

Premier Play Fair League: Fulham.

Conference championship: Burton Albion.

The awards

Manager of the Year: Alex Ferguson (Manchester United).

Football Writers' Footballer of the Year: Steven Gerrard (Liverpool).

PFA Player of the Year: Ryan Giggs (Manchester United).

PFA Young Player of the Year: Ashley Young (Aston Villa).

Premier Golden Boot Award: Nicolas Anelka (Chelsea).

Premier Golden Glove Award: Edwin van der Sar (Manchester United).

European Footballer of the Year: Cristiano Ronaldo (Manchester United).

FIFA Player of the Year: Ronaldo.

LMA Manager of the Year: David Moyes (Everton).

PFA select XI

Van der Sar (Manchester United), Johnson (Portsmouth), Ferdinand (Manchester United), Vidic (Manchester United), Evra (Manchester United), Young (Aston Villa), Gerrard (Liverpool), Giggs (Manchester United), Ronaldo (Manchester United), Anelka (Chelsea), Torres (Liverpool).