We will come back again even stronger, claims Giggs

Ryan Giggs has told his devastated Manchester United team-mates not to forget it has been a season to remember. Instead of a victory parade around Manchester, United flew home yesterday to the inevitable inquest about what went wrong in the Champions League final in Rome.

To a man, United's players have held up their hands to admit Barça were the better side at the Stadio Olimpico on Wednesday, with a clear edge in all areas. But while the veteran Welshman is as crushed as anyone by the chronic failure to perform, he insists there are moments to cherish from the campaign as well.

"Great teams bounce back after big disappointments," he said. "It has been a fantastic season and we must not forget that. All we have done is fall just short at the final hurdle in the Champions League. We are still a great team and we have great players in that dressing room. Next year we will come back stronger and look forward to the challenge.

"At times Barça can make you look silly because they keep the ball so well. At times we maybe chased it and didn't keep our shape as well as we should have but, still, we created chances. They turned up and played some great football – we didn't.

"You work so hard to get to a Champions League final," reflected Giggs. "After winning it last year we wanted to win it again. I guess this result proves why it has not been done before."