Back to drawing board for Fergie.

Byline: SIMON STONE

THERE have been any number of seminal moments during Sir Alex Ferguson's illustrious reign as Manchester United manager.

Think about the pre-glory days, when Ferguson realised Paul McGrath and Norman Whiteside would have to be dumped, a four-goal hiding in the Nou Camp when United were hampered by Uefa's 'three foreigner rule'. Axing Paul Ince, Mark Hughes and Andrei Kanchelskis. The list goes on and on and on.

However, since the group stage exit in the Champions League four seasons ago, things have gone rather well.

Now he has a completely different challenge to overcome, one that promises to be equally as difficult as anything that has presented itself in his 23-year reign.

It was not so much that United were poor in Rome on Wednesday night. In fact, for the 10 minutes they were allowed to play their own game, they were actually rather good.

No, it was not so much poor as non-ex-istentby-passed completely by a side brimming with talent, happy with the ball at their feet.

Samuel Eto'o and Lionel Messi scored the goals last night, Thierry Henry nearly got one too. Yet none of that trio got near Xavi and Andres Iniesta, who, once Eto'o stabbed Barcelona in front, denied United the ball.

"Maybe it was an off night," said Ferguson. "Maybe the mountain was too big to climb after being a goal down. Who knows? You have to wait for minutes to get the ball back from them and when we did we didn't use it well enough."

Ferguson does not tend to go for 'maybes' because he usually knows the answers.

By common consent, Darren Fletcher would have been the answer in Rome. The sus-pendeScot's ability to read a game and snuff out opposition attacks almost before they have begun has only been truly

Sir recognised in his absence. Owen Hargreaves' fight against tendinitis appeared not to be an issue. It was on Wednesday.

"Darren is big-game player," reflected Ferguson. "Barcelona had losses as well but Darren was a great one for us."

Ferguson can take a defeat. He is generally magnanimous in losing and would recognise the better team won.

Of more immediate importance are the futures of Carlos Tevez, who seems certain to leave, and Cristiano Ronaldo, whose time at Old Trafford will again come under scrutiny following reports of United interest in Franck Ribery.

Of all the big names you have grappled with down the years where is that Barcelona side? Pretty near the top?, the Scot was asked in the immediate aftermath.

Alex "Yeah, I think that's true," came the reply.

Ferguson has always liked a challenge. He has got one.

CAPTION(S):

Ryan Giggs consoles Michael Carrick in Rome and (inset) Lionel Messi and Andres Iniesta celebrate victory