CHARLOTTE (North Carolina) - US SWIMMING star Michael Phelps suffered his first defeat in a championship race in a year, falling to Aaron Piersol in Saturday's 100-meter backstroke final at the Charlotte UltraSwim.

Two-time Olympic 100 back champion and world record-holder Piersol led at the turn and pulled away to win in 53.32 seconds, well off his world record of 52.54, with Phelps second in 53.79.

MANCHESTER - SIR Alex Ferguson has warned Barcelona that Manchester United are 'bouncing' into the Champions League final after wrapping up the Premier League title.

A goalless draw with Arsenal at Old Trafford on Saturday was enough for Ferguson's side to secure the league for a record equalling 18th time.

MANCHESTER - MANCHESTER United won the Premier League for the third season in a row Saturday after a hard-fought 0-0 draw with Arsenal at Old Trafford.

United needed only a point to clinch the title on Saturday, and the result puts the club out of reach of second-place Liverpool, which is seven points behind and has two games to play.