Alex Ferguson savoured an historic treble last night after United's success. "This is the best moment of my life," he said.

Even Ferguson who has seen some many great comebacks from his team admitted he was stunned.

"I'm really proud of my players, proud of my heritage and my family for what they have given me and this is the greatest moment of my life," he said.

"I simply don't know where to begin, but you can't deny people with this spirit we have and that's why we have won this trophy."

Ferguson admitted he had felt United's chance had gone when they trailed to Mario Basler's sixth-minute goal only for substitutes Teddy Sheringham and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer to write the most remarkable chapter in United's glorious history.

"I was stunned when they scored," said Ferguson. "I was starting to adjust to losing the game and I kept saying to myself keep your dignity and accept that it's not your year.

"But football is such a funny game and it's a fairytale really. It's the anniversary of Sir Matt Busby's birthday and I think he was doing a lot of kicking up there.

"I just could not take it in and it happened so quickly. When it went to 1-1 Steve McClaren said to me we should re-group back to a 4-4-2 for extra-time, but I said this game isn't finished - and it wasn't."

Ferguson also commiserated with his captain Roy Keane who missed the final in the Nou Camp along with Paul Scholes through suspension.

"I feel for Roy Keane tonight," he said. "I watched him walking round and he was gutted. He was pleased for the players but to take part in that was something special."

Ferguson was obviously thrilled that Sheringham and Solskjaer turned the game so spectacularly after coming off the bench.

"I just felt that with Sheringham and Solskjaer coming on fresh that they are always liable to score goals," he said.

"Okay, it was fortunate but it doesn't matter how the goals are scored because that's what their jobs are. They are terrific substitutes."

Ferguson claimed nothing can top the treble, but he added he would not be easing up.

"You can't top that because that's the pinnacle but you cannot equal it," he said. "I will take it easy, but only until we lose our first game next season," he joked.

Bayern coach Ottmar Hitzfeld was understandably devastated and even after the final whistle he was struggling to come to terms with what had happened.

"I feel so sorry for my team because they were so close to winning this match but they have lost," he said. "It's really difficult to digest and this is inconceivable for us but then this is what football is all about.

"Normally when the opposition equalise you are expecting extra-time and it was a shock to our team when they scored the winner two minutes later.

"It could take days or even weeks to recover from this, but I must say that Manchester are great champions. They have played great this season and their football has been excellent. I think they have deserved to win the Champions' League."