Source: Daily_Mail
Rio Ferdinand reveals Manchester United didn't stick to the plan against Barcelona
ShareRio Ferdinand insists Manchester United can look back on a good season despite another crushing Champions League final disappointment after which he conceded his side made basic errors.[LNB]For the second time in three years, United could find no answer to Barcelona.[LNB]United did play better than their performance in Rome in 2009, the problem was Barca have improved just as much, if not more. [LNB][LNB] Blown out of the water: Ferdinand and co were no match for the maestro Messi[LNB]'You don't go into any final being satisfied to be second best,' said Ferdinand. 'Today we didn't get to pick up the trophy and they did.[LNB]'At 1-0 down I still thought we had a good chance to get back into the game. We got back on level terms but then conceded a bad goal and the third killed it off.[LNB]'Regardless of what happened two years ago, we didn't really do as well as we should have done.Theyare a good side. They know exactly what their jobs are and they work well as a team and individuals. You have to try and combat that.[LNB]'We had a good game plan. Maybe we didn't implement it as well as we could have.'[LNB] Highs and lows: From the joy of Rooney's equaliser (left) to the realisation of eventual defeat (right) [LNB]Wayne Rooney's first-half equaliser might have given Sir Alex Ferguson's men some hope of recording a shock victory at Wembley.[LNB]However, once Lionel Messi had scored his first goal on English soil, there was no way back for the Premier League champions, who were condemned to a 3-1 defeat by David Villa's sweet curling effort.[LNB]'We have had a fantastic season this year,' said Ferdinand. 'We are disappointed and this defeat leaves a bad taste in the mouth going into the summer but when you sit back and reflect on things we have had a top season.[LNB]'We reached the Champions League final again. We won the league. We reached the semi-finals of the FA Cup. It has not been a bad season.'[LNB] Hammer blow: Villa strikes Barca's third (above) and Rooney and Giggs can't look on as the Catalans celebrate (below)[LNB] [LNB] However, raising spirits is going to be incredibly hard for Ferguson, knowing his team appear to have hit a brick wall in the brilliant Catalans, who confirmed their status as one of the best teams ever to have played the game.[LNB]'You have to give credit where it is due,' said Ferdinand. 'They were the better team today and they probably deserved to win. I am just really disappointed if I am honest.'[LNB] There's no 'I' in team! Majestic Messi plays down Champions League heroicsGuardiola rules out taking Chelsea job after second Champions League winBarcelona 3 Manchester United 1: Pedro, Lionel Messi and David Villa crown Barca kings of EuropeSo, how were United outgunned? Fergie gameplan torn up by BarcaIt's a snip for former United star Pique as he nets a Wembley mementoIt's a snip for former United star Pique as he nets a Wembley memento[LNB] Explore more:People: Wayne Rooney, Alex Ferguson, Rio Ferdinand, David Villa, Lionel Messi Places: Barcelona, Rome
