So it should be.
And those players who looked the new champions in the eye as they emerged from the Old Trafford tunnel might should also have had a long, hard look in the mirror when they arrived home after the game, to see if they matched up to the men in blue.
There were plenty of cynics out there who poured scorn on Sir Alex Ferguson's decision to applaud Chelsea's achievement.
It was dismissed, at worst, as a publicity stunt, at best a tactic to fire up his players for the Cup final and the new season ahead.
While there can be no doubt that the thought passed through Fergie's mind that a slice of humble pie might do some members of his team a bit of good, such claims do the manager little justice.
Fergie is a bad loser, that is why he has been such a consistent and uncompromising winner down the years.
But when the last ball of the season has been kicked, the dust is settled and the trophies won, he recognises his responsibilities to a club of United's class and tradition.
That is why Arsenal, for all their fierce rivalry with the Reds down the years, found champagne awaiting them in the dressing room after clinching the title at Old Trafford in 2002.
And if last night's gesture had the added effect of lighting a fire under one or two United players, all well and good.
The response of some United supporters was less tasteful, booing the Chelsea team as they came out.
No matter what they felt about Roman Abramovich's millions, or Jose Mourinho's outrageous arrogance, the minority who jeered should have had the class to recognise the fact that Chelsea have been the best team in England this season.
And for all that Fergie says that the only difference between the teams was a matter of a lucky bounce of the ball here, a bad refereeing decision there, the gap has been wider than that.
Chelsea, rather than rest on their laurels, clearly set out to emphasise their superiority last night - and achieved it.
Neutrals tuning in for a classic English confrontation got, in the first half at least, a classic Continental confrontation, all possession and slow, slow, quick.
In the second half, Chelsea simply stepped up the tempo and United could not live with them.
Darren Fletcher said last week that he saw this match as a marker for next season. If that is the case, Fergie has some serious thinking to do in the summer. Tweet
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The manager lost the plot , How can you get rid of the best play maker that united have ever had since Bobby Charlton graced the ground I am talking about Beckham he was the supply line that made the forwards look good The most important thing in the life of a manager of manchester united is to ensure that the club finish every season as champions of England everything else is a bonus sadly Alex seemed to have forgotton you dont replace quality with crap some of those that wear the red shirt should be playing for a pub on wythenshaw park on a sunday if they could get a game that is
Sums up United fans really. Lacking in class and no respect for the Champions. The glory chasing years are over , hence the exodus starts. Im sure the bins are full of United replica kits and the queue at the Chelsea superstore just got bigger. - I wouldnt bother extending the ground as im sure your struggle to fill it. United fall and City rise from the ashes - I love it, i really love it.
Thanks for the memories Alex, it was great. I thoroughly hope you enjoy your retirement you have deserved it. The only question now. Who is next for the managers seat?
The crown has passed to Chelsea. We beat your eleven first-teamers and that oaf Poll with our reserve team (we had seven of our first team out, for varying reasons), and we didn't find it hard. Gladys Neville looked particularly hacked off, which is good. When Glazer buys ManUre and Fergie quits, you'll be good enough only for the Championship, mid-table. The world is turning, and it's turning BLUE!
"city rise"??? Cheers mate, I was feeling pretty down about our worst league season in 14 years but you've just cheered me up no end there. Congratulations on your best efforts amounting to 20-odd points behind us still. If this is city risen then long may it continue - brilliant!
By all means enjoy your moment of Gloating Chelsea/City/Liverpool etc.
However I remember that Arsenal were going to take over the world, Leeds were going to be the team to rule the roost etc.
If you really belive what you are saying and that United area spent force then you are in for a rude awakening
John-London
WE ARE ENJOYING OUR GLOATING!!!
and will for a lot longer,you and SAF need to wake up and smell the roses...
YOUR NOT TOP DOG ANYMORE
SORE LOSERS!
Jose Mourinho's outrageous arrogance??? He is no more or less arrogant than Fersguson has been for the last few years and at least he has the guts to face the cameras in defeat even if he doesn't believe his team should have lost, unlike old purple nose who sends out his goffer and hides behind his dispute with the BBC.
Whoever from the squad didnt like being lined up to clap hands at somebody else s title inside the Old Trafford, well, better make sure next year BY THEIR OWN EFFORTS that this will not happen again. As for my little blue friend who says that we have no class, well, this is still 75000 football fans, not North Corean election results, no? Better focus on picking up these ashes mate. And as for our big blue friends, well, I am happiest when opponents gloat, it always gives me a warm feeling about next season ... Leeds fans thought also they had reached the moon when they played that CL semifinal...
Congratulations to Sir Alex for the "guard of honour", a gesture of sportsmanship and respect for a team who have played better football than us over the past season. As for the doom-mongers amongst us, I recall that last summer they were forecasting mid-table humiliation at best for Utd and yet here we are as third (by some distance) in the table, in the F.A.Cup Final and having reached the last 16 in Europe for a record successive time.
Well said COCKSY. I was wondering when someone was going to correct John-London....
Very suprised last night by the attitude of the Man U supporters! First of all booing the Champions onto the pitch, and worthy Champions at that and then at 1-3 completely desert OT in the final home game of the season! You've always accused others of jealousy....how times change eh?
Humble Pie? you Reds don't Know the meaning of the words. A decade of success and 3rd place in the Premiership this season dissapoints you? Get real. every team has it's day, maybe you have had yours as did Liverpool. Chelsea are worthy winners and Manu are not disgraced. Learn to enjoy your successes. God knows you have enough of them. Good luck in the FA cup