Barcelona give the Reds the Blues... again.

Aston Villa crashed out of the Europa league in consecutive seasons to Rapid Vienna, and during their second conquest of Villa Park a banner was unveiled which more aptly describes the situation at Wembley last night: 'The Nightmare Returns'. Despite lining up with only two natural defenders in their side, Barcelona limited United to a sparse collection of half-chances, one of which was taken emphatically by a mercilessly Wayne Rooney, who like so many of Sir Alex's players can hold his head high and positively state that he gave all he had to give. The first half was an even contest between two well matched sides, the current Kings of European football lost their shape and conceded possession more times in one forty-five minutes than they had all season. For the first time weaknesses were exposed, particularly down the right flank guarded by a reluctant Alves against a rampant Partice Evra. Park and Giggs began to dominate the midfield battle and until Pedro's sucker-punch opening goal Vidic and Ferdinand looked comfortable with the task which faced them.

Nobody can criticise United's willingness to attack and determination as a unit, but the quality of Barca's finishing was majestic. Having been a revelation this season at Old Trafford, Javier Hernandez crashed back down to earth as his apparent inability to stay onside allowed a second half onslaught, and the Catalan front three grabbed all the goals with Messi and Villa adding to Pedro's first half slot. Messi's genius apparently has no bounds in a Barcelona shirt, and even the tactical mind of Ferguson failed to deliver an answer to the little Argentine conundrum. His goal was the pick of incredible moments, and Pepe Guardiola can take plaudits for restoring order to his side at half time with Xavi and Iniesta dictating the pace allowing Messi to drive forward from deep. Although there were some rather exaggerated statistics on ITV's coverage of the game which claimed that Barcelona had 16 attempts of United's goals, at least half of which must be fictional, any suggestion that they did not dominate the second half is futile. United lost their legs after an hour of non-stop pressurising and chasing the 'Nightmare' around, and when players with the calibre of Giggs and Fabio are substituted because of sheer tiredness and strain on their bodies, the opposition must be pretty special. Barcelona did not look at all phased by the Wembley occasion as they stepped onto the pitch led by the great man Xavi, who has tamed every midfield of the whole host of European giants which Barcelona have left lying in their wake. United won't stop until they have ended the Nou Camp  dynasty, and the final was an amazing advert for European and English football. Despite a few rolls and rants from game spoilers such as Busquets and Mascherano, Barcelona won it the right way, if there is such a thing. Their fluent, fluid attacking football and patience in possession was like a footballing dream, and with such a display it is difficult to imagine when their European rivals will wake up from the Catalan 'Nightmare'.