Aftermath of Barcelona-Loss: This Manchester United team is not fit for the big prizes

Spanish side Barcelona breezed through English side Manchester United 3 - 0 inside the Camp Nou with Argentine forward Lionel Messi netting twice for the hosts - SportsStar

Manchester United's last trophy arrived with a routine Europa League final triumph over Ajax in Stockholm two years ago. Events in Barcelona and Turin on Tuesday showed how times have changed.


Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's fifth defeat in eight matches saw United outclassed by Barcelona in the Nou Camp, while Ajax evoked the grandest traditions of the Amsterdam academy to beat Juventus on their own turf and deservedly reach the Champions League's last four.

It was a stark reminder that United are now light years behind Europe's elite - even teams they would have regarded as inferiors not so long ago.

Better United teams than this average band have fallen victim to Lionel Messi and company down the years, but it still served as grim evidence of the club's poor transfer business and flawed strategy in recent years.

And for all the euphoria that accompanied Solskjaer's arrival as interim - and later permanent - manager following Jose Mourinho's exit, now is the time for him to show what he is made of.

Solskjaer has much to do and much to prove.

The smiles he exchanged with former United boss Sir Alex Ferguson before kick-off - at the ground where his goal won the 1999 Champions League final - were wiped off by half-time.

Solskjaer must confront the battle to get United back into the tournament next season.

The baby-faced assassin must now prove that a streak of steely ruthlessness lies behind the smiling exterior because this team is not fit to challenge for the big prizes.

Now Solskjaer and United's executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward - who must finally show he has a handle on footballing matters - face a period of serious reconstruction. BBCSport