Barcelona vs. Manchester United

I think we did spectacularly well to get there but that was rather inept. Yes Barca were good but we handled them very poorly. We were fecking battered for 85 mins.
 
Barcelona
La Liga (3): 2008–09, 2009–10, 2010–11
Copa del Rey (1): 2009
Supercopa de España (2): 2009, 2010
UEFA Champions League (2): 2009, 2011
UEFA Super Cup (1): 2009
FIFA Club World Cup (1): 2009

Not a bad resume.
 
Well, that's the level. They're on another planet...and must be the best side ever, better Saachi's Milan.

To be fair this is not the greatest Manchester United midfield. You could name umpteen number of United midfields in the past better than this one. Put that up against the best midfield and the world and of course it shows up. I think tonight says that Barcelona are a class side (we always knew that) but also that this midfield is just alright. And alright doesn't cut it against the best.
 
Could have been worse. I would have liked to have seen us push them harder but it is what it is. This is not our strongest squad for a long time and they did amazingly well to get the 19 which was by far in a way the most important achievement. The CL would have been very nice icing indeed but it wasn't to be. I can't waste too much admiration for Barca, despite their manifest ability. They are just too classless. But they sure know how to win a game of football, so to them go the spoils.

United and proud though; United and proud.
 
Bravo Barcelona, bravo. Nothing we could have done.
 
Two things that hurt right now.

United losing two finals. feck us fans and feck the players. It's about the glory of the club.

And SAF. It tears me to see him as a runner up again. Wanted a 3rd CL so badly for him. The greatest manager ever losing twice to Pep fecking Guardiola. Doesn't sound right.

Media will bang on that Pep is now the greatest ever, or in the running for this title.
 
This fecking hurts, we couldn't do anyhting near to hurt barca at all, they totally out-classed us, Fergie please invest in our midfield, its in serious need of quality......:(
 
I don't think changing the MF helps... The problem is Barca has found a way to out do the traditional back 4 line and have the players to dribble past defenses and unlock you.

Like we've tried to point out that Rio + Vidic have to come off their line a bit more... Our MF were totally out numbered... For example, that 2nd goal, Messi was one of their 3 MF's that just got the ball and had oozes of space to take a shot... Evra/Vidic were quarreling who should go out first doesn't make anything look better.

Carrick's Zonal Marking didn't work, it never did.... I liked the way Mou actually utilized Pepe to man mark Messi to stop him working the play in deep which if he didn't get red carded, RM had a chance imo.

The only way to stop a Barca team this talented is to Play a 4-1-4-1.... We didn't need a no. 10 who didn't help us what so ever... We needed more numbers in MF who were up to the job.

Anyhow, credit Barca... We were totally dominated.
 
Well played to get this far. Lets not forget that's the last time we'll see Van Der Sar in our jersey. Well played sir, you've been a great servant.

On the game, can't do much now, its over. We didn't use our luck in the night, they played very very well. We certainly weren't schooled though. Onwards and Upwards!.

C'mon United, C'mon Fergie.
 
I'm gonna be there for the parade. This is my team and we made history this year!
 
Does it hurt? Yes.

Does it hurt as much as it did 2 years ago? Not by a long shot.

Barcelona were much the better side, the only thing that grates is the fact that Messi's shot could easily have been stopped and Nani cutting out a pass not meant for him led to Villa's.

Fair play to Barca, and i'm glad there was a minimum of diving and rolling around but they were fantastic. I don't think we did ourselves any diservice, we did the best we could with the players we have and hopefully this will show how our midfield is a little lacking. Hernandez was isolated, Valencia played too deep and Evra looked tired, they are probably the only things i can level against the team.

Also this is going to make the season review DVD miserable viewing if they start it off with us losing the final like they did in the last one.
 
Best team won.

It hurts, to say that. It really does. We did what we could to stop them but they are a team of outstanding players. At least we put up more of a fight than in Rome. So congrats to them, but they better enjoy their dominance while it lasts.
 
To be fair this is not the greatest Manchester United midfield. You could name umpteen number of United midfields in the past better than this one. Put that up against the best midfield and the world and of course it shows up. I think tonight says that Barcelona are a class side (we always knew that) but also that this midfield is just alright. And alright doesn't cut it against the best.

99 side would've given them a better game. I just hope Fergie is given the funds he deserves to improve the side.
 
Could've been 5 European Cups to our name. It's just a shame we've come up against these lot. Depressing.
 
At least we kept our heads up until the end, I'm really disappointed for Fergie. Rooney for me was superb but didn't have enough around him attack-wise to really hurt them, and yes they were very very good, but their second goal was shockingly sloppy from us IMO.

I said a few weeks ago that I thought they'd win as their biggest strength is our biggest weakness, and it unfortunately came to pass this evening.
 
Media will bang on that Pep is now the greatest ever, or in the running for this title.

That's what pisses me off. Fergie losing to him twice will be held against him always. How he lost two finals so tamely. That thought I can't stand. Fact is, Guardiola is a good manager in charge of a an absolute dream team. And Fergie is the greatest. I actually think us getting to the final is as big an achievement as them winning it.
 
Beaten by an absolute class team. Their passing was sublime. One wish now is pep to replace fergie when the great man decides to go. Congrats barca.
 
Barcelona
La Liga (3): 2008–09, 2009–10, 2010–11
Copa del Rey (1): 2009
Supercopa de España (2): 2009, 2010
UEFA Champions League (2): 2009, 2011
UEFA Super Cup (1): 2009
FIFA Club World Cup (1): 2009

Not a bad resume.

We're not too bad either you know :)

Most successful club in England :D
 
Barca are an outstanding side. It's easy to say players didn't turn up, but this Barca side are just an exceptional bunch.
 
Next season Bebe and Obertan will make Messi and Villa look shite. Believe..
 
beginning of the season, I would have been happy to qualify for the CL next season. well we won title #19 and got to this final.

they were better than us but I am proud of the manager and the lads.

Me too. I can't think of any other team in Europe that could have lived with Barca tonight. On to next season and freash challenges. We need to rebuild now and bring in a few new faces but we'll be back in the final again. Credit to Fergie and the lads for getting there in the first place.
 
That's what pisses me off. Fergie losing to him twice will be held against him always. How he lost two finals so tamely. That thought I can't stand. Fact is, Guardiola is a good manager in charge of a an absolute dream team. And Fergie is the greatest. I actually think us getting to the final is as big an achievement as them winning it.

I reckon Guardiola is off now, to prove he can win without this unique squad.
 
To be honest I didn't really expect us to win. Our poor record at Wembley and our rather poor central midfield this season but it's no disgrace to lose to this Barca side. They're just too good. If you'd have given me the 19th League Title at the start of the season I'd be bloody delighted! Proud of the team irrespective of what happened today.
 
I wish we play like barca i mean pass like then, without their diving of course....