Cristiano Ronaldo, United disappointed and looking to future
Ronaldo leaves Rome
Cristiano Ronaldo and his Manchester United teamates will have to put the pain of defeat behind them as they go into the offseason. United were well beaten 2-0 by Barcelona in Rome, their first ever loss in a European final.
Sir Alex Ferguson cast a figure of philosophic optimism in his post match press conference but acknowledged that, on the night, Barca were the better team.
“We didn’t play as well as we can but you have to give Barcelona credit,” said the United manager.
“Lionel Messi wasn’t the problem, Xavi and Andres Iniesta kept the ball all night and made it difficult for us.”
Ferguson, who has never suffered a European final defeat before Rome ‘09, added: “We started brightly and confidently and could have been in front in the first 10 minutes but the goal was a killer.
“We didn’t plan to lose a goal as early as that. We didn’t deal with it well enough, it gave them the opportunity to keep possession.”
And keep possession they did. Barca passed the ball around expertly and United looked like ghosts. Chasing shadows for 70+ minutes the Red Devils looked dejected and exhausted long before the final whistle.
Now it will be a long summer for Ferguson’s men while the back rooms will be looking towards keeping hold of, and acquiring prize assets.
