He talked up the experience gained by new signings such as Phil Jones and Ashley Young, whose first title chase ended in bitter disappointment as they lost out on goal difference to Manchester City despite ending with a very healthy 89 points.
Ferguson can also point to injuries and illness to key players, particularly leading central defender Nemanja Vidic and midfield workhorse Darren Fletcher.
"We take great credit from the fact that we have had so many injuries this season and we've coped with that very well. They are only young players, it was excellent for them," Ferguson said on Sunday, offering a silver lining to the club's fans who have no trophy to celebrate for the first time since 2005.
"They've experienced what has happened today and they'll be around in five, six or 10 years time for Manchester United. The experience is good for them, even if it's a bad one."
"I would like to say on behalf of Manchester United, congratulations to our neighbours," he added.
"It is a fantastic achievement to win the Premier League, it's not easy to win, it's the hardest league in the world and anyone that wins it deserves it.
"It was a cruel way but we've experienced many ups and downs in the 25 years that I've been here and most of them have been great moments. We have won the league three times in the last five seasons and we nearly did it again today.
"I'm pleased with their performance this season. With 89 points, it would have been good enough to win most leagues."
Despite his buoyant mood after stoppage-time goals by Edin Dzeko and Sergio Aguero earned City a 3-2 win over QPR that rendered United's 1-0 victory at Sunderland worthless, Ferguson will wonder how his side, traditionally so adept at closing out titles, squandered an eight-point lead in the closing weeks.
It was a defeat that took matters out of United's hands and while they finished with wins over Swansea City and Sunderland, City's stoppage time 3-2 victory over QPR left United empty-handed.
While Wayne Rooney's 27 goals under-pinned United's assault on the title, the England striker lacked support at times with Mexican Javier Hernandez, so lethal las year, the only other player to reach double figures in the league with 10.
