No one liked it, but

Understandably, Wise did not want it to get embarrassing and Marshall ensured it did not. Had he not produced a wonderful save from Roy Keane's dipping volley in the 22nd minute, the collapse might have come earlier.

As it was, from the moment the elusive Ronaldo headed home Gary Neville's cross in the 44th minute it became simply a matter of speculating how many United might score in the second half. Wise and his team never shirked the challenge. They chased the lost causes, tackled manfully when they got near the ball and in Neil Harris had a solitary front striker who toiled to the point of exhaustion.

None of that, though, was remotely sufficient to deny United their 11th FA Cup Final triumph. The First Division side simply lacked the guile to keep the ball long enough to sustain any pressure on the United defence.

Wise did his best, but a lack of fitness and an excess of years conspired against him. He had the experience but, at 37, not the energy to cope with a United midfield that was without a serious flaw.

The gold-booted Ronaldo, as crafty as a bagful of monkeys, is not to everyone's taste but, once he starts providing the end product on a regular basis, he will become an iconic figure at Old Trafford. "The potential is there," said Sir Alex Ferguson. "It's up to us to make the most of it."

Roy Keane, Ryan Giggs and the maturing Darren Fletcher bossed the match, though Ronaldo's contribution is what will be remembered from this final. How chief guest Sven-Goran Eriksson made Ruud van Nistelrooy man of the match is beyond me.

Yes, the Dutchman scored twice - one a penalty and the other a tap-in - but the £12million 19-year-old from Portugal made the most dazzling impression. If he can maintain his progress he will be a threat to the likes of Arsenal and Chelsea next season. As for Millwall, they need to reinforce their squad.

Wise and his players did marvellously well to reach the FA Cup Final and, as a result, secure a place in the UEFA Cup next season.

Had they won promotion (they were in line for a play-off place until the Cup Final interfered) they would have struggled to justify their place in the Premiership.

"Everyone knows that we have to improve to get where we want to go," said Wise. "We're already discussing the players we want."

Millwall were outclassed but there was no shame in that. This FA Cup Final simply underlined the widening gulf between the elite and the rest.

In that sense it was a hollow victory for United but, judging by Ferguson's uncharacteristic song and dance act on the pitch, a very welcome one at the end of a difficult season.