Ole Gunnar Solskjaer admitted he faces a major rebuilding job at Manchester United after they were dumped out of the Champions League by Barcelona .
Lionel Messi tormented United and produced a virtuoso display as United were sent packing from the quarter-finals at the Nou Camp.
Barca superstar Messi was at his mesmeric best, scoring twice in quick succession to kill off the tie, with Philippe Coutinho adding a stunning third.
It was the heaviest aggregate defeat United have suffered in Europe in their history and a night to forget for recently-appointed permanent boss Solskjaer.
“We did well to get this far, but the quality of their finishing was absolutely outstanding,” said Solskjaer.
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“Messi is an exceptional talent. If you give him space and time around the goal, he’ll create and score goals, he’s a fantastic player.
“We know there’s work to be done. I’ve said all along that this isn’t going to change overnight. The next few years are going to be massive for us to get to the level that Barcelona and other teams are at.
“We’re getting on with the job and have spoken to the players and told them we need to get the best out of each other.
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"We need to create an environment of having a top class attitude and world class attitude every single day. We’ve got good players to work with and done really well to get to the quarters and challenge for top four.
“But, as I said, we’ve got a rebuilding job but it starts with the coaches and players, and with one or two additions.”
There was nothing United goalkeeper David de Gea could do about Messi’s first, after 16 minutes, a virtuoso solo run capped by an unstoppable finish.
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But De Gea was left red-faced for Messi’s second four minutes later, allowing his shot to squirm under his body and in for a 2-0 lead, with Coutinho making it 3-0 to wrap up a 4-0 aggregate win.
There was to be no dream return to the Nou Camp for Solskjaer, 20 years after his dramatic late winner won the Champions League for United and clinched the Treble.
Liverpool , who take on Porto on Wednesday night, holding a 2-0 lead from the first leg at Anfield, will face Barca in the semi-finals if they can come through the return leg in Portugal.
