It will replicate the command of Sir Alex Ferguson when United's players applauded Chelsea on to the Old Trafford pitch following Mourinho's first Premiership title triumph.

After what promised to be the title decider but is now a meaningless match, the plan then is for the two managers to share a fine bottle of wine at Ferguson's expense.

All very civilised, but anyone who thinks Mourinho has suddenly become a good loser should think again.

'Show me a good loser and I'll show you a loser,' has been Mourinho's philosophy since he brought his confrontational brand of management to English football.

Which is why you can be sure, as the vintage red slips down, there will be an acidic after-taste.

The fact is while Mourinho was complimentary about Ferguson and United's football last weekend, the Chelsea boss could not bring himself to admit that the better team won the title.

The one thing both managers have in common, however, is the spirit they have imbued in their teams.

Say what you like about Chelsea - friction between manager and owner Roman Abramovich plus a rift between manager and underachieving duo Andriy Shevchenko and Michael Ballack clearly remains - but the unbreakable bond between Mourinho and the rest of his team was apparent in the lingering embraces after Sunday's draw against Arsenal.

The camaraderie in Ferguson's squad is also the driving force behind their success.

That and a raging ambition to accept the next challenge.

Which is why the focus of attention has already turned to how the title can be regained or retained, with United linked with Owen Hargreaves, Tottenham's Dimitar Berbatov and Southampton's Gareth Bale while Chelsea chase Spanish striker Fernando Torres.

What is certain is that both clubs will spend heavily in the summer in a Premiership where competition for the best players has intensified with more clubs than ever ready to spend big money.

But back to tomorrow's 'dead rubber' which is likely to feature more than the odd fringe player, such as Chelsea's Scott Sinclair and Ben Sahar and United's Kieran Richardson and Chris Eagles.

There is one major bonus in that, with title issues having been wrapped up early and Manchester United and Chelsea no longer involved in the Champions League, English football can look forward to a humdinger of an FA Cup final.

No whingeing about players being too tired. No keeping something in reserve for a European final just four days later.

The FA Cup final will have Ferguson and Mourinho's undivided attention and the first showpiece occasion at the new Wembley deserves nothing less.

It also deserves Mourinho to put into practice Ferguson's Kiplingesque spin on meeting triumph and disaster.

Ferguson said: "I am sure Jose understands winning and losing are twins in a way. You have to deal with them in the same way.

"When you win, you don't need to gloat, when you have a defeat you don't go bananas, you accept it."

It is a big 'if' but if Mourinho takes that on board Chelsea next season might see their popularity increase.