And not even the fact that the controversy surrounding the illegal signing of Tevez in August refuses to disappear could detract from the enjoyment Curbishley took from avoiding a relegation that would have cost his club an estimated 35 million pounds in lost revenue.

Having been fined 5.5 million pounds by the Premier League for illegalities surrounding the signings of Tevez and Javier Mascherano, West Ham ended the season with a remarkable run of form, although their rivals still maintain they should have been docked points for their transgressions.

"We pulled off an amazing escape," said Curbishley. "To win seven out of our last nine, considering the opposition we've played, is incredible.

"A few months ago I had fans shouting 'four letter word' back to Charlton at me because they couldn't work out what had happened to their club. This time last year they had had a great season and were playing in the FA Cup Final.

"All the things that went on were before I got there in December. The Premier League had their inquiry, they gave their verdict and we have got on with it like we have got on with it the last six or seven weeks.

"We have been public enemy number one and that has been ramped up a bit this week but we have just got on with it. Now it is over. The Premier League say it's over and I've got to look forward to next year."

Whether the Tevez affair is over remains to be seen, with even survivors Wigan talking about the injustice of West Ham's survival after the striker's 45th minute goal.

But Curbishley countered: "First of all, I don't think there will be an over-turning of the decision and, secondly, as has been the case since I've been at the club, it's out of my hands.

"There has been a lot of talk the last few weeks but we have kept our counsel and that is how we are going to be now."

Ryan Giggs, Paul Scholes, Cristiano Ronaldo and Nemanja Vidic all watched the opening hour from the bench before the first three of those regulars were thrown into the action by Sir Alex Ferguson, who moved quickly to dispel any suggestion that his team selection had done an injustice to Sheffield United, the club relegated in West Ham's place.

"I know Neil Warnock will be disappointed," said Ferguson. "But once he sees the stats of how much we dominated he will understand we were unlucky. You have to remember, the release of having won the league does effect them at times.

"West Ham were the team coming into this game with the best form and they couldn't have come to Old Trafford on a better day with us having won the league when the edge is off our game a little bit.

"We did our best, we had 25 strikes at goal but West Ham were resilient, credit them. I do feel for Sheffield United, though."

United's sympathies for the Blades were not evident, however, as the club celebrated their ninth Premiership title in style on the pitch at the game's end to mark the end of a campaign which leaves Ferguson relishing challenges to come.

"My experience when we won the league in 1993 was that it opened the door for us," said Ferguson. "We won the double, won the title the next year and absolutely slaughtered the league. The players have been given a taste of what it is all about today and will come on with that.

"They know what it is all about now so let's get on with it! I'm looking forward to next year and this team developing."