Manchester United Out-Classed By Barcelona

5 months ago 28th May 12:19

Manchester United's dream of defending their Champions League title were left in tatters last night when they lost the final to Barcelona in Rome's Olympic Stadium.

The defending champions lost 2-0 when an under-par united were no match for the skill and patience passing from Barcelona, who took the lead after ten minutes.

United began the game all guns blazing with two clear chances from Christiano Ronaldo that could have put a whole different complexion on the game.

But when Barcelona found the back of the net on their first attack all the confidence and flair seemed to leave the United squad.

They couldn't compete with Barcelona's tight passing and the defence struggled to keep the likes of Andres Iniesta, Gerard Pique and Leo Messi at bay.

After half time Ferguson brought on Carlos Tevez, who's future is still uncertain, for the ineffective Anderson.

He later brought on Berbatov but even having the big four on the pitch failed to inspire Manchester United.

Alex Ferguson blamed poor defending for the loss saying: "In our best performances this season we have defended very well, but the defending was shoddy."

However Ferguson's tactics have been questioned as Wayne Rooney down the left, which has worked well in the past, didn't on the night had he had a fairly invisible game.

And Anderson and Ji-Sung Park had little impact in the midfield as they struggled to keep possession, such a shame that Fletcher was serving a suspension for a red card in the semi.

It has been an impressive season for the Spanish club who, after three years of no trophies, have won La Liga, the Spanish Cup and now the Champions League in Pep Guardiola's first season as manager.

But it has been a good year for United who have once again become the English champions scooping the premiere league title as well as winning the Carling Cup and the World Club title earlier this year.