Edwin van der Sar: Manchester United must learn lessons from 2009 Champions League final defeat to Barcelona

Edwin van der Sar celebrates United-goal against Schalke 04 (Getty)

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Edwin van der Sar branded Manchester United’s 6-1 aggregate semi-final victory over Schalke as a “perfect” result but urged his team to learn the lessons of their 2009 Champions League defeat to Barcelona if they are to win the competition.

The Red Devils cruised into the final and a date with Pep Guardiola’s men at Wembley after a comfortable victory at Old Trafford, despite making major changes to their team with the likes of Wayne Rooney, Javier Hernandez, Nemanja Vidic and Rio Ferdinand all rested.

Yet goals from Antonio Valencia, Darron Gibson and a brace from Anderson helped secure the victory, which Van der Sar believed was a comfortable win.

“It was perfect, of course after the first leg we were quite well set up so we were able to make some changes and keep the majority of players fresh for Sunday,” he told ITV.

“You saw the emotion from Barcelona yesterday and maybe our celebrations were more subdued, it’s a big rivalry of course Madrid and Barca. This was a game we comfortably won in the end.”

The win sets up a repeat of the 2009 final in Rome which Barcelona won 2-0 and the Dutchman urged his team-mates to learn the lessons from that defeat.

“They Barcelona play extremely well and it going to be difficult,” he explained.

“They showed that in the final in 2009 and we have to make sure we learn our lesson from that and deal with that in a different way.”

The veteran, who is set to play his last game for Manchester United in the final, also admitted it would be a great occasion and he was hoping to sign off on a high.

“I think it means a lot for the club, for the players and the fans and for Sir Bobby Charlton of course and for the manager,” he added.

“It will be a great occasion and to play at Wembley it’s going to be great and hopefully with a better outcome that a couple of years ago.”