Barca: United stronger without Ronaldo

BARCELONA’S players believe Manchester United have improved since the departure of Cristiano Ronaldo to Real Madrid in 2009.

Ronaldo played his last game for United in the Champions League final in Rome — which Barca won 2-0 — before sealing an £80m (€94m) switch to the Bernabeu.

United ended up with only the Carling Cup in their first campaign following the Portugal forward’s exit, but this season has seen Alex Ferguson’s side reclaim the Barclays Premier League title and progress to the final of the Champions League to face Barca on Saturday at Wembley.