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Manchester United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer said his side must “aspire to Barcelona’s level” after their Champions League quarter-final defeat.
Lionel Messi inspired Barca to a 3-0 win in Tuesday’s second leg at the Nou Camp, sealing a 4-0 aggregate victory.
“If we want to get back to Manchester United’s true level, true traditions, we have to challenge Barcelona,” said Solskjaer.
“They were a couple of levels above over the two games.”
Messi scored two goals in four first-half minutes, with Philippe Coutinho adding a stunning long-range third in the 61st minute.
United struggled to contain their opponents and had just three shots on target over the two legs.
Speaking to BT Sport, Solskjaer added: “Lionel Messi is top quality and he was the difference, of course. At 2-0 straight after, it was game over. Messi showed his quality.”
Solskjaer’s side face a battle to qualify for next season’s Champions League in their remaining five Premier League games.
They are sixth in the table, two points behind fourth-placed Arsenal, and travel to Everton on Sunday before hosting title-chasing Manchester City on Wednesday, 24 April.
“We want to play these games again next year, so we have a massive week coming up,” Solskjaer added.
“There is no point dwelling on what could have been. We have to focus on that week.”