LONDON, May 29, 2011 (AFP) - Manchester United captain Nemanja Vidic admitted his side could have no complaints as Barcelona cruised to a 3-1 victory in the Champions League final.
Vidic has been one of the best defenders in Europe this season but even the formidable Serb couldn't stem the tide as Barca overwhelmed United at Wembley on Saturday.
Pedro, Lionel Messi and David Villa scored for Barcelona and, although United were briefly level through Wayne Rooney, the result was never in doubt.
Vidic conceded United had been beaten by the better team and he was happy to salute Pep Guardiola's Spanish champions.
"I think if you look at it we have never played a team in the past like Barcelona, they played good football and deserved to win," Vidic told ITV.
"We tried to press high and in some parts of the game we did well. The goals we lost, we didn't do what we have to do to close their players down.
"When they have time on the ball they can make the final pass and that is what they did."
Vidic's defensive partner Rio Ferdinand agreed with his captain's view that Barca were deserving winners, just as they were when they defeated United 2-0 in the Champions League final in Rome two years ago.
"We gave it a better shot this time than last time (in Rome in 2009), we had a couple of opportunities," Ferdinand told Sky Sports.
"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."
Although Vidic and Ferdinand had no qualms about praising Barca, United winger Nani, who came on as a late substitite, insists his side have the quality to beat the Catalan giants if they meet again.
"Of course we can win it, why not?" he said. "We have been doing so well.
"We got to the final and had an opportunity to win and fight against Barcelona to try to win the trophy but it is difficult to play against Barca.
"You never know, next season maybe we'll get to the final again, against a different team. Or even if it's Barcelona, we could win it.
"I think we showed in the first half that it can be done against Barca, we can play against them and score goals."
The Portugal international admitted he was frustrated by his omission from the starting eleven, but refused to criticise United boss Sir Alex Ferguson.
"It is hard for me because I always want to play and always want to be in the team," he said.
"I wanted to play the final. Everyone wants to play the final and because I did so well this season and I was a bit disappointed not to be in the team.
"But that is football. Sometimes you play and sometimes you don't play but I have to respect the manager's decision. You cannot do anything."
