Manchester United saw their Champions League dreams ended by a 3-0 defeat at Barcelona .
The Red Devils were well beaten at the Nou Camp and were on the receiving end of a Lionel Messi masterclass.
It was a night which magnified the extent of the task at hand for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer - and the new permanent United boss admitted Barcelona were "levels above" his side.
Solskjaer is now facing a huge task to get his side into the Premier League top four and ensure they are back in the Champions League next season.
And he conceded he has now realised just how far his side have to go in order to reach United's "true level and traditions".
Man Utd fans call on Ashley Young 'to retire at half-time' after Barcelona error
"The Barcelona team here, that's the level we have to aspire to get to," Solskjaer told BT Sport after the game.
"We know we're not there yet. We can get there but we have a lot of work to do.
"If we want to get back to Man Utd's true level and traditions we know we have to get to challenge the Barcelona's.
"I've got to say they were a couple of levels above over 90 minutes today and over 90 minutes at Old Trafford."
Philippe Coutinho's celebration vs Man Utd catches the eye of fans
Solskjaer's side now head to Everton on Sunday before hosting a huge Manchester derby against title-chasing City next Wednesday and welcoming Chelsea to Old Trafford four days later.
They are currently sixth in the Premier League table, two points behind Arsenal in fourth.
Solskjaer added: "We want to play these games again next year, so we've got a massive week coming up with Everton, City and Chelsea.
"We're disappointed, but there's no point dwelling on what could have been.
"Now we have to concentrate and focus on our week."
