Graphic: How Chelsea snatched the glory

Every man and his dog has it in for José Mourinho after the way Chelsea played on Saturday. To listen to some people it’s as if we were watching Leeds United at Wembley during Howard Wilkinson’s time in charge.

Not so. The manager deserves credit not criticism. Chelsea’s direct style is the ultimate proof of Mourinho’s brilliance as a manager.

Why? Because at his previous club it was so different. FC Porto won with style, with flair players such as Deco. You could have criticised them for playing too many little passes, not too many long ones; for always wanting the ball to feet, instead of in the air. Mourinho’s versatility, his ability to fit a system to his players, is his greatest triumph. He’s a winner, any which way.

Chelsea’s tactics on Saturday and throughout the season? Just good management. Mourinho is paid to win trophies, not please the pundits. He doesn’t have a Lionel Messi or a Ronaldinho. I think he wanted to sign Deco but he chose to go to Barcelona.

For most of this season, Mourinho hasn’t even had Joe Cole or Arjen Robben. The midfield lacked creativity. So he used a system that took account of the personnel available and had his men playing to their maximum, just like at Porto. His only true potential match-winner was Didier Drogba. And so it proved. As much as you can accuse Chelsea of being cautious and boring, was the 4-1 win over West Ham United dull? Was Valencia away tedious? Barcelona?

Too many managers stick stubbornly to their “principles” on how they want the game played. It’s a weakness. You can even accuse someone as great as Arsène Wenger of it. It’ll be fascinating to see what Sam Allardyce does at Newcastle United. Will he try to recreate Bolton Wanderers on Tyneside, or adapt his tactics based on who he has available and the traditions and expectations of the club?

After the final, we’re entitled to ask if Sir Alex Ferguson has a blind spot when it comes to his Sven-Göran Eriksson-like addiction to cautious tactics for big games.

Against Chelsea, the Manchester United manager did what I expected him to but hoped he wouldn’t. At Old Trafford, United fans chant 4-4-2. They know it’s right for their team. The statistics prove it. So why doesn’t the manager accept it?

I’m glad that United didn’t win and do the Double – not because I’m a former Chelsea player, but purely because this side do not deserve to be considered equal to the side that won league and Cup in 1994, or the treble in 1999. It’s a collection of outstanding individuals, but not an exceptional unit, and one reason is because Ferguson has too often used Wayne Rooney up front alone.

Call it 4-5-1 or 4-3-3, the fact is that it wastes him. Rooney’s runs were brilliant at Wembley – if only he’d had someone else to pass to instead of being forced to go it alone. If only he’d been allowed to sprint at goal more often, instead of being compelled to stand with his back to goal, because that’s what the lone striker has to do.

All that flair, 120 minutes against a defence containing Michael Essien and United didn’t score – how much more evidence does Ferguson need? Not using the right system has cost United two competitions because it was a big factor in their dismal performance at the San Siro. United can’t keep living off the glory of the 7-1 thrashing of AS Roma. Yes, they crush weak teams, but against the best sides this season they’ve mostly been unimpressive and that means they can’t be classed as truly great. And it’s because of the tactics, not the talent. The 4-5-1 didn’t even work with Ruud van Nistelrooy as the spearhead – and he’s much better at that role than Rooney.

Ferguson might claim he has no suitable option to partner Rooney, but what about Alan Smith? He didn’t do too badly against Roma, did he? United’s football was prettier on Saturday, but they left the stadium as losers. Mourinho had his team playing to their maximum; his opponent cannot say the same.

Ferguson has made one vital move already by signing Owen Hargreaves to add steel to the midfield. It’s a step the right way but it’s not enough. It’s imperative Ferguson brings in a top striker this summer or United won’t retain their Barclays Premiership title.

Ridiculous as it sounds after they’ve won two trophies, because of their injuries, internal soap operas and underperforming big names, Chelsea have done the bare minimum this season. They will be much stronger next term.