Manchester United has won the Premier League title after securing a 3-0 victory over Aston Villa at Old Trafford on Monday.
It is the club's 20th league crown, and Sir Alex Ferguson's 13th of his 27-year reign with the team. With 12 points in its final four games, United would pass Chelsea's Premier League record of 95 points for the season.
The Red Devils moved 16 points clear of Manchester City, which has five games left and 15 points to play for, after Robin van Persie's first-half hat trick secured a comfortable win over Paul Lambert's relegation-threatened side.
The Dutchman, who has now moved one goal ahead of Liverpool's Luis Suarez in the race for the Premier League's Golden Boot, struck his first of the evening from close range after just two minutes, while a stunning
volley from the edge of the area was followed by another effort inside the box.
Manchester City clinched its first Premier League crown on goal difference on the final day of last season, but Ferguson's team came roaring back during the current campaign and has blown its city and title rivals out of the water.
The Red Devils went top of the table following victory against Arsenal on Nov. 3, and even though they were temporarily passed by City midway through the month, they quickly re-established top spot and have not looked back.
Van Persie's last-minute free kick provided a dramatic victory over City at the Etihad Stadium in December, and a six-point gap to go with it, and the club's late comeback against Newcastle on Boxing Day sent an ominous message to those at Eastlands.
United ended 2012 seven points ahead of its nearest rival, and the gap would only grow as the new year wore on.
After City drew away to Liverpool and lost at Southampton in early February, United went 12 points clear by beating Everton at Old Trafford, with Ferguson electing to play a strong side despite preparing to face Real Madrid in the Champions League.
The Scot admitted that the opportunity to open up such a large gap was too important to pass up, and although his side eventually exited Europe at the hands of Los Blancos, it effectively put City out of sight by mid-February.
And when City slumped to defeat at Everton on March 16, it allowed United - in the midst of a six-game run without conceding a league goal - to move 15 points clear.
Sergio Aguero's superb goal at Old Trafford in a 2-1 City victory cut United's lead to 13, while Carlos Tevez secured victory over Wigan as United drew at West Ham a week later.
But City's defeat at Tottenham on Sunday presented the Red Devils with the chance to sew it up against Villa, and they made no mistake with the opportunity.
United had seven titles to its name when Ferguson took over in 1986. The Scot won his first in 1992-93, and 20 years later he has guided his side to its 20th league crown. In winning their latest trophy, United moves two titles clear of Liverpool, which won its 18th and most recent championship in 1990.
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