The Hangover

After the disappointment of last night, and still recovering from the drowning-sorrows-inflicted hangover, we've no need to look in too much detail at the papers today.  We'll just take a whirlwind tour...

On the whole the papers are good, just acknowledging that Barca were the better team, without the need for unfair criticisms of us.  The exception being Paul Wilson on The Guardian blog who writes absolute rubbish:

Maybe Ferguson can enjoy life in the Premier League for a few more seasons, apart from the troubling fact that United keep being found out in Europe. To be fair, so do most teams who face Barcelona, yet one wonders how many drubbings on this scale a proud 69-year-old can take. While Ferguson is unlikely to change his mind about retirement after such a deflating experience, he, Giggs and Scholes will all feel that little bit older after another night spent chasing Barcelona shadows.

"keep getting found out"?? Losing 2 finals requires one to get there.  "keep being found out"?! Seriously... 3 finals in 4 years, losing 2, winning 1.  Found out?

Paul Hayward is more sensible:

United had their limitations exposed, no question, but only in the context of a special phase in the game's history. Barcelona have engineered an evolutionary leap, adding defensive rigour to the fantasy element first instilled by the dream teams of Johan Cruyff. Like Real Madrid, Milan, Chelsea, Bayern Munich and the rest, United now face the daunting challenge of raising their game somewhere closer to Barcelona levels.

Van der Sar's last match is concentrated on in this piece:

This loss should not detract from the Dutchman's achievements, but it still felt a sadly inappropriate way to depart. In time Van der Sar may reflect on eight league titles, two European Cups and a Uefa Cup, or the record 130 caps he secured for Holland. But, for now, the memory will be of Lionel Messi and David Villa curling shots agonisingly out of his reach. The veteran will have recognised the gulf that gaped between these sides, although that will not temper the disappointment.

 Alex Stepney puts things into perspective in The Telegraph:

You can not avoid the bitter disappointment but no-one should forget that United won the league by nine points, reached the FA Cup semi-final and a third Champions League final in four years and there's plenty to be proud of.

Henry Winter lauds the occasion:

For a sport numbed by events at Fifa and still remembering the disappointing World Cup of last summer, this final was perfectly timed. Real Madrid had been negative against Barcelona and paid the price. United had been bold, hitting the pristine ground running, pressing Barcelona high up the pitch.

They had a go but Barcelona were a class apart. The Messi Final will be remembered fondly by Catalans and neutrals alike. Barcelona put the smile back on to the face of football after a season of too many scowls. 

The players post game comments are here: Rio:

"We gave it a better shot this time than last time, we had a couple of opportunities," he said.

"We got back in it at 1-1 and thought we could come back and win but it wasn't to be, we have to give them credit.

"A couple of the goals were preventable but you have to give credit where it's due. They've got a system they work to and did it well. We had a game plan we thought could beat them, but wasn't to be."

And Sir Alex's here:

"I expected us to do better, particularly after half-time, but it wasn't to be. Great teams do go in cycles and they're at the peak of the cycle they're in at the moment.

"They're the best in Europe, no question about that. In my time as a manager, I would say they're the best team we've faced. Everyone acknowledges that and I accept that. It's not easy when you've been well beaten like that to think another way. No one has given us a hiding like that. It's a great moment for them. They deserve it because they play the right way and enjoy their football.

And finally Sir Alex here on the reasons for Berba's absence:

"Picking my team was easy, but my subs were very difficult," Ferguson said. "I tended to overload in the midfield because I thought that was the area that was most important in terms of the way Barcelona play – the game could be decided there – and the work you need in that central area.

"I only had the one defender to have options in midfield and wide, so it came down to a choice between Michael Owen and Dimitar Berbatov. If you're looking for someone to nick a goal in the last few minutes, with Owen's experience, that's why I took that decision."

And now back to bed...