Manchester United were ripped to shreds by a superior Barcelona in the Champions League final, taking Alex Ferguson's hopes for a place in history down with them, British newspapers said on Thursday.

"United leave Rome in ruins," said The Times, after the 2-0 defeat in the Italian capital on Wednesday. "United fold without a fight," said the Guardian.

There was universal admiration for Barcelona's performance — and scathing words for United, which had hoped to become the first team to retain the Champions League for a second year running.

The Sun said Barca offered a "mesmerising" performance which made United look "as lifeless as the statues that lined the road to the Stadio Olimpico".

"It's Messi-cre for Fergie flops" said the Sun, referring to Barcelona's Lionel Messi who scored the second goal of the night 20 minutes from time.

"Ferguson's side, making elementary mistakes at the back, didn't have an answer," said one commentator in the tabloid.

A columnist in the Daily Mail defended the English side, saying: "United are the real deal. Champions of England, Europe and the world going into this game and for Barcelona to make them look second best was a stunning achievement."

It noted that United started well but were thrown off by Samuel Eto'o's first goal on 10 minutes — and never recovered.

"United are a side awash with knowledge and confidence, yet those qualities are no protection against the shock that follows the loss of a goal so early on a night of this importance," said one commentator in the Guardian.

Even with the knowledge that United are kings of the English Premier League and also won the English League Cup and World Club Championship this year, the defeat will weigh heavy on Ferguson, who has managed the team since 1986.

The 67-year-old Scot had hoped to secure his place in the history books with a second successive Champions League win for the team and a third European trophy for himself -- but will have to wait another year.

"No matter how much you've won, losing hurts like hell. It burns away at your soul," said one commentator in the Daily Mirror.

"And as Sir Alex Ferguson's dreams of another chapter in the history of the game evaporated in the fetid Roman air last night, there was nothing even he could do about it."

AFP

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