Sir Alex's champagne cavaliers even put class of '68 in shade

The line-up was a first - and quite possibly a last, given Ferguson's apparent desire to 'phase out' older players such as Paul Scholes.

Cup crazy: Wes Brown (top, left) and Cristiano Ronaldo celebrate with the trophy

Nevertheless, this remains the finest of Ferguson's teams. Possibly even the finest of Manchester United's rich and successful history.

Comparing sides from different eras is an almost futile exercise and actually a little insulting to the 1968 team that had World Cup winners in Bobby Charlton and Nobby Stiles as well as sublime skill and talent in George Best and Denis Law (although Law missed the '68 European Cup Final because of injury).

But consider this for a moment: in that same 1967-68 season, it was Manchester City who emerged as League champions and United who finished second. This team is significantly more successful, at a time when it has never been more difficult to secure club football's most coveted prizes.

After 22 years at Old Trafford and 10 Premier League titles, Ferguson certainly thinks the title race is tougher than it has ever been.

Tougher because this is the fourth season in succession that England have had at least one club in the Champions League Final. The second season in a row that three English teams have reached the semi-finals. The second time in four seasons that an English club has lifted the trophy and the first time that England has provided both finalists.

And here's something else to consider: English sides were eliminated by English teams this year. Arsenal lost to Liverpool, Liverpool to Chelsea and Chelsea, of course, to United - and even then only on penalties.

Up in arms: Wayne Rooney shows his delight

Therefore, for United to win back-to-back Barclays Premier League titles is a remarkable achievement. To have now added the Champions League to their honours list is truly extraordinary.

That they did so with style as well as substance, class as well as great character, makes it worth celebrating all the more.

They have been wonderful this season. A perfect balance between defence and attack, with a powerful blend of skill and tenacity in midfield. They have a superb goalkeeper in Edwin van der Sar whom Ferguson should have bought when the Dutchman made his move from Juventus to Fulham.

He would have saved the manager a whole lot of trouble, as well as a cup-winning spot-kick that was all the more impressive for the fact that it came 13 years after Van der Sar first lifted the European trophy with Ajax.

In front of him is an outstanding back four. Wes Brown might discover he has a fight on his hands if Ferguson recruits a replacement for Gary Neville. But in Rio Ferdinand, Nemanja Vidic and Patrice Evra, the manager has all but found perfection.

They conceded just 22 goals in the League this season and were magnificent here in Moscow. In Ferdinand and Vidic, United now have a central defensive pairing as good as any in the world.

In midfield, Ferguson has combined youth and experience with great success. Alongside Scholes and Ryan Giggs, Owen Hargreaves, Michael Carrick, Ji-sung Park, Anderson and Nani have excelled.

The latter two very much represent the future of the club and future of a team that will continue to evolve under the guidance of the greatest manager of a generation.

It is up front, however, that this United side really capture the imagination. The modern-day holy trinity can now stand shoulder to shoulder with Best, Law and Charlton; can claim to be every bit as successful as their legendary predecessors.

If only Best was still alive to give his verdict on Cristiano Ronaldo. If only he could have seen how he scored 42 goals, mostly from the same midfield position Best occupied with such distinction, he would surely agree that the Portugal winger is now the best player on the planet; crucial to the United's European and domestic glory.

Individually brilliant, he is also part of a brilliant attacking trio. Ronaldo, Wayne Rooney and Carlos Tevez have scored 79 goals between them this season and can reflect on just one defeat in their 24 starts together and six games in which United scored four or more goals.

They play, as Ferguson said, with the fearlessness of youth. "They will not freeze," he said on the eve of Wednesday's encounter and freeze they most certainly did not. This is a terrific United team. A team oozing ambition and adventure. A team that, even in the dying minutes of extra time in Moscow, were still trying to pass their way to victory against a Chelsea reduced to 10 men.

Imagine Anderson and Nani in another two or three years. Imagine the telepathy that will develop between Ronaldo, Rooney and Tevez the more time they spend together in training and in the heat of battle.

For now, however, let us simply recognise what this side has achieved. They are the best team in England, the best team in Europe, and they have reached the pinnacle playing the best football.

It is football that entertains and inspires. A magical formula of football that, for as long Ferguson is there to continue nurturing and creating, should keep United at the very top for some years to come.