Goals by Pedro, the inspirational Lionel Messi and David Villa were a minimal reflection of the Spanish side's dominance over United, who they also beat in the 2009 final, as they lit up the Wembley night with their brilliance.
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In an emotional presentation ceremony the giant trophy, for long the symbol of Barca's existence in the shadow of Real Madrid, was hoisted by French fullback Eric Abidal, back in action after an operation to remove a liver tumour in March.
"It's the way we played I'm most proud of," Guardiola said after his side consistently passed their way through and around a defence that had previously not conceded a single Champions League goal away from Old Trafford this season.
"The people watching could see that we not only won but we played a brilliant match," he added, before picking out Messi for special praise.
"Messi is the best player I've seen and probably the best I ever will see," he said of the Argentine man of the match.
"We have great players but he makes the difference and without him we would not have that difference in quality. He is unique. A one-off."
"Nobody's given us a hiding like that but they deserve it because they play the right way and they enjoy their football," he said after his newly-crowned Premier League champions mustered only one shot on goal all night.
"We never really controlled Messi but many people have said that. We never closed the midfield well enough to counter them."
It was also his 12th in 13 Champions League games this campaign, equalling Ruud van Nistelrooy's record tally for United in 2002/03.
While the match was not the showdown many had hoped for, Barcelona's performance will live long in the memory of all who saw it and will further fuel the debate about where they sit in the game's all-time pecking order.
