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Manchester United became kings of Europe for the third time after a 6-5 penalty shoot-out win over Chelsea on a night of high drama and emotion in Moscow.

Goalkeeper Edwin van der Sar was the hero with a penalty save to deny Nicolas Anelka after Chelsea captain John Terry had missed the chance to win the Blues the trophy by firing his own spot-kick against the post.

After a thrilling 90 minutes plus extra time finished 1-1, the dramatic shootout looked to be going Chelsea’s way after Petr Cech saved Cristiano Ronaldo’s effort but Terry’s miss opened the door for Sir Alex Ferguson to clinch his second Champions League crown.

It is 40 years since United first won the trophy with a team rebuilt by Sir Matt Busby from the survivors of that Munich disaster. Eight players lost their lives following the catastrophic events on a snow-filled German runway in February 1958.

A tense opening period was brought to life the moment Ronaldo headed United in front with his 42nd goal of a memorable season. Paul Scholes, who missed United’s last triumph through suspension in 1999, played a delightful interchange of passes with Wes Brown on the right flank.

His final return pass put Brown in the clear and the full-back’s left-foot cross found the waiting Ronaldo in space at the far post. The Portugal international planted a firm header into the corner of the net past a static Cech to give United first blood.

But the Blues began to grow in confidence as the first half approached its climax and in the 45th minute, Michael Essien’s attempted shot from 25-yards took two deflections on its way towards goal - the most telling off the back of United captain Rio Ferdinand. It changed the direction of the ball into the path of Lampard, who duly supplied the finish from six yards.

In the 77th minute, United had the woodwork to thank when Drogba sent a 20-yard shot against Van der Sar’s left-hand upright.

The game went into extra-time, and within three minutes of the restart, the woodwork came to United’s rescue for a second time. Lampard sent his shot crashing against the crossbar as United continued to ride their luck.

But Drogba was then sensationally sent off for slapping Nemanja Vidic as tempers flared on both sides. And the lottery of penalties ensured that United clinched the trophy.

Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson has rubbished claims over the last week that his top man Cristiano Ronaldo is on his  way out of Old Trafford.

Speaking in Moscow, on the eve of his second Champions League final with Manchester United, when asked about whether Ronaldo would be staying with the new Premiership champions he said: “If you want to put a bet on it I’ll put a big bet on it.”

Fergie oozes confidence that his side can win the European Champions league for the first time since 1999 and he added: “Since we’ve won the championship we’ve had ten days good preparation.

“It’s been a long hard season but I think we’re in our best shape and hopefully good enough to win this trophy.

“There’s a weakness in the amount of European trophies we’ve won and I hope we can go some way to making that better (Wednesday).