Champions League - Ferguson: United mesmerised by Messi

Sat, 28 May 22:32:00 2011

Manchester United were never able to control Barcelona's midfield or deal with the brilliance of Lionel Messi as they were overwhelmed 3-1 in the Champions League final, manager Alex Ferguson said.

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Like many before them, United had no answer to the wonderful passing of the players who did so much to help Spain become world and European champions and seemed powerless to get a grip on Messi as he danced through their defence almost at will.

"They do mesmerise you with their passing," Ferguson told a news conference in the bowels of Wembley to the background accompaniment of departing Barcelona fans celebrating their third European title in six years.

"We never really controlled Messi, but many people have said that. We never really closed the midfield well enough to counter them.

"We tried to play as near to the way we normally play. For instance, it's alien to us to try to man-mark players. We tried to play as normally as we can. It wasn't good enough on the night, we acknowledge that."

United actually started well but, just as they did when they lost the 2009 final to Barcelona in Rome, they quickly fell away.

Pedro put the Spaniards ahead after 27 minutes but there was a spark of hope for United when Wayne Rooney fashioned an excellent equaliser seven minutes later.

"When we got the lifeline I expected us to do better in the second half, but it wasn't to be," said Ferguson, whose hopes were blown away by second-half goals from Messi and David Villa.

"Nobody's given us a hiding like that but they deserve it because they play the right way and they enjoy their football."

Ferguson has led United to three Champions League finals in four years, winning in 2008 having also triumphed in 1999, and said he was now facing up to the task of finding a way to compete with Barcelona for the ultimate club honour.

"It's not easy but that's the challenge, we shouldn't be afraid of that," he said.

"The challenge is always to improve yourselves, to build your team, I think we have some very good players, we'll mull it over in the summer.

"We've been consistent in Europe in the last few years but maybe this might be the same sort of stepping stone as when they beat us 4-0 a few years ago," he added in reference to the group-stage Nou Camp drubbing in 1994.

"Great teams do go in cycles and the cycle they are in at the moment is the best in Europe.

"How long it lasts and whether they can replace that team, they certainly have the philosophy ... it's always difficult to say that you can find players like Xavi, (Andres) Iniesta and Messi, probably not, but they are enjoying the moment.

"In my time as a manager I'd say yes, they are the best team I've faced."

Reuters

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  1. all english team should go to BARCA FOOTBALL ACCEDEMY­ UP UP BARCA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

    From animakwu, on Sat 4 Jun 0:49

  2. To 583, You will never get into it again, the dead of­ night at Anshitfield on european nights, not even good­ enough for C5, the lights off mid week, look east and­ see the lights of Old Trafford scousers making millions

    From middlengland, on Fri 3 Jun 5:52

  3. Next year: Arsenal-Napoli: 4-2 : Wilshere (25') ;­ Kun Aguero (45' + 4) ; Vermaelen (87') ; Van­ Persi (90' + 3) / Cavani (16' ;­ 47').
    CL 2013: Arsenal-Barca: 1-0 : Benzema­ (90').

    From Dominique, on Tue 31 May 4:15

  4. liverpool fans, you got knocked out by BRAGA in the­­ quater final stage of the Europa league. No not the­­ champions league, the Europa league. The champions­­ league is where all the big boys go. Liverpool go­ watch­ your lame team play football in the Europa­ league next­ year. Oh sorry I forgot you couldn't­ even make the­ bloody Europa league because your team­ is so shi t. Now­ go f uck off because United have­ achieved something­ astonishing. 3 finals in 4 years,­ shows how consistant­ they are and you all liverpool­ fans calling them @#$%.­ You couldn't even beat­ BRAGA in the Europa league.­ By the way i am a Chelsea­ supporter. Nobody can call­ man utd rubbish. They are­ the English champions. They­ beat all of our teams.­ They are second best in Europe,­ Not bad ay ?

    From David, on Tue 31 May 0:24

  5. Barcalone is good but it is a shame that a team with an­ experienced coach like Manchester can not prepare a­ tactic to face Barcelone. At least , Arsenal and Real­ tried something far better than Manchester. The players­ were naive and lacked confidence in them selves. The­ final was not worth a champion league final. If clubs­ in Europe do not sit up and look for a solution to the­ play style of Barca, then buy to passionate champion­ league finals.

    From Ekwe Mopio, on Mon 30 May 22:14

  6. well done to Barca,we were beaten fair and square by a­ better team on the day,man utd fan

    From biafra, on Mon 30 May 20:33

  7. Violent torpedo of Truth see thats the trouble with you­ Manure fans, i'm having a laugh and you get all­ nasty. Sad little loser when thing's ain't­ going your way ain't ya. Try commenting on­ CBeebies, its more your level­ hahahahahahaha!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! lol

    From Venus or Penus, on Mon 30 May 19:43

  8. I think this present Barcelona team will win at least 2­ more Champions League trophies.

    From Michael, on Mon 30 May 19:03

  9. now is clear that this Barca team is da Greatest of­ all tym. no english side can face Barca nt even madrid.­ may da gud team in england which is Liverpool

    From Glory, on Mon 30 May 17:00

  10. barca rule.....la liga rule...catalunya rule....manure­ go n do it again ur homework northern farmers cant play­ joga bonito.....looool manure got spank big time­ loooooool howard webb was the only player missing in­ the manure team loooool i guesss howard webb if was­ playing cudnt have been different result innit manure­ fans

    From m haji, on Mon 30 May 16:58

  11. ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha­ ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha haaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa

    From Matt, on Mon 30 May 16:33

  12. Anybody know why Man U had to wear the away kit yet­ again against Barca?

    From Es, on Mon 30 May 16:15

  13. The best way to learn football is to go to Nou camp­ Academy, "FC Barcelona, football made easy"

    From Chidi, on Mon 30 May 14:30

  14. Comment@589, violent_torpedo_of_truth11

    You sound­ angry - must be another illiterate Manure Chav!

    From David Peter, on Mon 30 May 12:55

  15. What ya mean fool Lol that's 20 years since­ liverpool won a title . so go f,uck yourself di,ckhead

    From Violent torpedo of Truth, on Mon 30 May 12:38

  16. Comment@577, ebay3444 - can't you write English­ properly?

    Bad spelling, no punctuation, bad grammar -­ you MUST be an illiterate Manure Chav!

    From David Peter, on Mon 30 May 11:07

  17. Just got home from a top all man 0rgy tonight, it was­ b0ners, semis, booze, drugs, viagra everywhere, it was­ such a h0rny night suc,king and rubbing on all that­ hard kn0b, will have a s0re ring in the morning though­ as had 3 massive b0ners up my rear end over the 4 hour­ party, we were all covered in each others @#$% by the­ end of the night. I still got a b0ner now from all the­ viagra

    From theslinster, on Mon 30 May 9:51

  18. any truth to the story Freguson fouled his pants during­ an unsuccessful dash for the new Wembley toilets­ straight after the game?

    just curious...

    From gollywogazoo, on Mon 30 May 8:52

  19. Barca taught MU how to play FOOTbull..haha anyway Barca­ outclass MU and deserved to win the trophy.Congrats for­ the winner and to train harder for the looser.

    From Felix, on Mon 30 May 8:37

  20. Its me Trotter had to change my name cos some thought i­ didn't have scouse written right through me like a­ stick of rock.......do not doubt YNWA........oh­ btw......did anyone see that comedy show last night?

    From YNWA, on Mon 30 May 8:37
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