Fergie cites Fletcher absence

Sir Alex Ferguson pinpointed the absence of Darren Fletcher as a major reason for Manchester United's Champions League Final defeat to Barcelona. Fletcher missed the 2-0 defeat in Rome through suspension following a red card in the semi-final second leg against Arsenal and Ferguson claimed his side missed the Scotland international's midfield energy. United were out-run and out-passed in the centre of the pitch and failed to find anything like their top form on a disappointing night. Speaking about Fletcher's absence, Ferguson said: "I thought before the game it may have been a problem. "I knew it might count against us because he is a big-game player and he was a big loss for us. "It's difficult to say how big - and they had players missing too - but it showed itself for us tonight." However, Ferguson conceded that United had been second best on the night to a rampant Barcelona side. "The simple reason we lost was possession," he added. "We didn't do anything with it. "The disappointment was the use of the ball when we got possession. You have to wait minutes to get it back off them. "We recognised beforehand there was their three central midfield players. It wasn't really Messi who was the problem. It was Iniesta and Xavi. They can keep the ball all night long. "You have to give credit to a very good Barcelona team. If they get in front of you they are very difficult to beat."