United let Barcelona prosper as they failed to heed San Siro lessons

Apart from the scoreline, had it actually been a much better display than the 3-0 Champions League semi-final defeat in Milan a year ago?

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Ferguson had asked his players to 'raise the bar'. With the possible exception of captain Rio Ferdinand, they did not do so. At times, they looked as though they could barely lift it.

In the San Siro last year, the genius of Kaka, Andrea Pirlo and Clarence Seedorf passed the ball through and around United for 90 minutes and dispatched Ferguson to a summer of introspection and regret.

At the Nou Camp, it was the emerging talent of Yaya Toure and the more familiar figures of Xavi and Lionel Messi who had United chasing shadows.

Ferguson will not like it but it was strikingly familiar. In the run-up to the game, he had talked about the value of ball retention. One wonders if his players had been listening.

Wayne Rooney, Cristiano Ronaldo and Ji-sung Park were as guilty as any. Paul Scholes was a possible exception. Ferguson will draw some comfort from the spirit of his team's efforts; from their refusal to yield to Barcelona's persistent threat. Certainly there was no lack of collective will as they earned a 0-0 draw.

But for a team supposedly ready to assume the mantle of the world's best, their efforts with the ball were moribund.

'United didn't move out of their own half and were extremely conservative,' said Barcelona midfielder Xavi. 'All they did was defend. They won't be able to do that in the second leg and we'll make sure we take advantage of the space and unlock their defence.

'We did everything we could to win but unfortunately it was not to be. But we are still confident of making the Final after such a good performance, and we believe we can go to Old Trafford and win.'

Perhaps the nature of the Barclays Premier League is partly to blame for United's failure to take a grip of Wednesday's game. Perhaps it is just too difficult to build a team for domestic and continental football, such is the contrast in the styles.

United are not used to facing the sort of football favoured, indeed demanded, at Barcelona. At home, only Arsenal come anywhere near it.

Contrast the nature of Liverpool's street brawl with Chelsea on Tuesday to the manner in which the second semi-final was played.

Would United beat either of their two domestic rivals over two legs? Almost certainly.

Will they edge past Barcelona at Old Trafford? They remain favourites to do so, but it is far from certain.

'Barcelona were very good and kept the ball well, but we were compact and tried to squeeze them,' said Ronaldo, who missed an early penalty. 'We'll obviously try to play better in Manchester.

'Most of the time we create a lot of chances but we couldn't in this game. But Barcelona didn't create a lot, either.

'In Manchester you'll see a different performance from us. I'm sure the game will be very different. Barcelona won't keep the ball like they did in the Nou Camp. We'll try to make sure of that.

'We'll create a lot more chances and I'm sure we're going to play better.'

United will need to, not only next week but also in tomorrow's important league clash at second-placed Chelsea.

Avram Grant's team have had an extra day of rest since Tuesday's first leg at Anfield which ended in a dramatic 1-1 draw. And they should still be on a high after their late equaliser.

Ferguson told MUTV: 'There is no doubt Chelsea's morale will have been boosted. It was a great result for them, particularly the time of the equaliser. They have a marvellous chance of getting to the Moscow final after that away goal.' United, meanwhile, will be aware that they have not played their best football of late. Not since their 4-0 victory over Aston Villa on March 29 have Ferguson's players really clicked.

Points rescued at Middlesbrough and Blackburn and their smash-and-grab at home to Arsenal have all spoken volumes for United's mental strength, not to mention their resolve.

Nevertheless, they will need their best football tomorrow and next week if they are to continue their season on two fronts.

Ferdinand said last night: 'You don't set out in your career or at the start of every season for personal accolades. You set out to achieve things as a team.

'Winning the league and then to win the Champions League is what I want to round off the season. If we don't do it I will be very disappointed.'

There was a feeling in Spain yesterday that Barcelona's best chance may have come and gone on Wednesday night.

They do not do positive in Catalonia but on this occasion it is easy to understand the pessimism.

For all their possession, the cutting edge was absent. With Samuel Eto'o looking short of a yard, they would appear to lack a knockout punch.

Frank Rijkaard's team may yet be shown to have their best days behind them, while United still have the look of a work in progress.