Soccer – Champions League reaction:Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson acknowledged Barcelona are the best team he has faced in his long and distinguished career.
Barcelona ran out 3-1 winners in the Champions League final at Wembley after Pedro, Lionel Messi and David Villa grabbed the goals for the Spanish giants, with Wayne Rooney scoring for the English champions
"We were beaten, there is no other way to address the situation, by the best team," said Ferguson.
"I expected us to do better but at the end of the day we were beaten by the better team. They are the best team we have ever played, they are at the peak in this cycle of their team.
"There was good evidence we are a consistently good European team but we were beaten by the best team in Europe and there is no shame in that. Sometimes you come up against a far better team and tonight was one of those nights."
With regard to his own team's performance, Ferguson admitted United's season had ended in frustrating fashion.
"We expected to do better, simple as that," he said. "We have had a great season in many ways, it is just disappointing that we have been to Wembley twice and been beaten. We are just disappointed it has ended on this note."
