Edwin: We'll Challenge Again

It was painful for the Reds to concede the European title to Barcelona, but Edwin van der Sar is certain that United will be back challenging again next year.

The Reds didn’t ever reach the performance levels the team is capable of, and a possession-rich Barcelona capitalised with goals from Samuel Eto’o and Lionel Messi.

“We are all really disappointed with the performance and the result,” said Edwin.

“It was a bad first goal to concede and after that we suffered a little bit and we couldn’t get back into playing our game. Barcelona kept possession very well.

"After the first goal it just all seemed to go wrong for us. We seemed to be under pressure, even when we had the ball. It was just one of those nights when things didn't go so well for us and everything they tried seemed to come off."

There were certainly no sour grapes and, for what little consolation it is, United emerged with dignity for accepting the best team won on the night.

“You have to give Barcelona credit,” added the Reds' goalkeeper.

“They have won the European title so they are now the best team in Europe. They played very well, and all we can do is try to do better next year.”