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A loser in Rome but Fergie is one of life's winners
THAT'S the look.
The intensity, the clenched jaw and a certain, indefinable gaze that takes in the bitter essence of defeat and makes it the foundation of his next victory.
The look that Alex Ferguson has had in losing, and often in victory, in his long and glorious career.
His face was a picture of defiance last night as he watched Barcelona collect their Champions League winners' medals.
Not so much a bulldog chewing a wasp as a Fergie chewing over the future as the present still unfolds around him.
But it's a similar look.
Always two steps ahead, numbing the pain of defeat with a vision of how tomorrow will be better.
"No complaints, they were the better team on the night," said Fergie.
He got that right.
At times Manchester United were outclassed in the way they often outclass teams in the Premier League, the way they outclassed Arsenal in the Champions League semi-final.
Without the willing legs of Darren Fletcher, with Anderson peripheral, Ryan Giggs unable to weave his ageing magic and Carrick strangely ineffective, Manchester United could not hold Barcelona's bewitching midfield or pierce their makeshift defence.
Iniesta, Messi and Xavi were sensational, exceptional, almost supernatural in their ability to control and retain possession of a football.
Had one of the five shots Manchester United had in the first ten minutes gone in, it might have been a different game.
But probably not.
As Alex Ferguson himself might say, 'maybe-ifs and almosts don't win trophies'.
And he wasn't complaining. He was out-thought on the night. He wasn't talking about bad referees - Massimo Busacca was excellent - he wasn't considering his position as manager or waiting to see what the chairman has in mind.
Even as Barcelona picked up the huge silver trophy the 67-year-old was thinking of ways to take it back from them next May.
Ferguson is notorious for celebrating the winning of trophies for an hour and then starting to plan how to win the next one.
In defeat it looked as though that contemplative hour was cut to five minutes.
"They were two bad goals to lose," said Fergie.
"We have defended superbly over the season but tonight we were shoddy. But credit to them.
"We were beaten by a better team. Next season we'll be better."
A loser on the night but one of life's winners.
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Weather for Sheffield
Saturday 26 May 2012
Today
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Temperature: 9 C to 23 C
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Temperature: 10 C to 22 C
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