Manchester United's Wayne Rooney (2nd L) shoots to score a penalty against Blackburn Rovers during their English Premier League soccer match in Blackburn, northern England May 14, 2011. [Photo/Agencies]

BLACKBURN, England - An achievement 25 years in the making, Alex Ferguson's Manchester United finally became the most successful team in English league history on Saturday with a 19th title triumph that overhauled Liverpool's record.

With only a point required at Blackburn to capture the Premier League trophy with a game to spare, Wayne Rooney salvaged a 1-1 draw from the penalty spot in the 73rd minute.

"It's very good, a long day ... it was agony at times there," Ferguson said. "It was a disappointing game to be honest but I'm not particularly bothered by that ... the important thing is being the most successful."

Fulfilling it would have seemed unimaginable when Ferguson took charge of United in 1986 with a vow to knock Liverpool "off their perch."

Liverpool had just stretched its lead over United to 16-7 in the title stakes and by 1990 the Anfield outfit had raised the bar to 18.

But United kept its faith in Ferguson and in 1993 he ended the club's 26-year wait for another league crown.

Eleven more have followed since then, and in that time Liverpool has failed to top the standings once.

"Hopefully, we will keep it going for a long time," Ferguson said. "It's a great achievement."

Even at 69 after winning his 27th major title at United, Ferguson has no plans to retire. And neither has 37-year-old midfielder Ryan Giggs, who has played in each of United's 12 Premier League-winning teams since 1993.

"Twenty years ago we were nowhere near Liverpool," Giggs said. "It's a good feeling to be ahead of our greatest rivals."

Manchester City has been a less formidable rival, but the big-spending team ended its 35-year title drought by beating Stoke in the FA Cup final two hours after United's landmark success.

"With the FA Cup, we have won it more times than everyone," Ferguson reminded City, which has won it just five times to United's 11. "And now we have won the Premier League more times than anyone."

But Saturday's match at Ewood Park went against the script, with Ferguson's decision to rest goalkeeper Edwin van der Sar backfiring in the 20th minute.

"We lost a cheap goal and they were encouraged by that," Ferguson said.

United's breakthrough came after a moment of controversy, when striker Javier Hernandez was tripped in the area by goalkeeper Paul Robinson.

Blackburn's players felt Hernandez went down too lightly, and the penalty was only awarded by referee Phil Dowd after he consulted his assistant amid protests from both teams.

Rooney kept his cool to score his 15th goal of the season - and the one that ensured Liverpol's record would be surpassed.

"I was terrified, the ref took a long time to give it," Rooney said. "I had to compose myself. I'd been practicing all week."

For the England forward, who grew up supporting Liverpool's local rival Everton, the goal is payback for the lucrative new contract was awarded in October after he rocked United by threatening to leave.