Edwin van der Sar cited an inability to retain possession as the major reason for Manchester United's Champions League final defeat in Rome last night.

After clinching the Premier League this season, United were tipped to become the first team to successfully defend the European Cup since it was rebranded in 1992. Instead, they were taught a footballing lesson by a Barcelona side marshalled by Xavi and Andrés Iniesta.

"It was a disappointing evening," said the Dutch goalkeeper. "We had a good 10 minutes at the start but after that it changed a little bit. We have come from behind plenty of times before, so the goal itself was not an issue.

"But what it did was to allow them to start playing a little bit. In situations like that you have to try and keep possession but at times I felt we lost it a little too easily."

At 38, Van der Sar may be nearing the end of a career that has already brought him winner's medals with United, last year, and Ajax in 1995. However, he is contracted on for another year with the Old Trafford outfit.

"We have got to get this disappointment out of the way," he said. "I will look at new challenges after the holidays."