Liga de Quito coach Edgardo Bauza said a win over Manchester United in the FIFA Club World Cup final seemed within grasps when Nemanja Vidic was sent off on 49 minutes.

European champions Manchester claimed the premier competition title after chalking up a 1-0 victory over the Ecuadorian outfit on Sunday.

Bauza's men put on a good display against the Red Devils, but eventually the latter registered a reasonable win, thanks to Wayne Rooney's winner.

"We had more possession. When they lost Vidic we thought we might be able to win," the Argentine boss told the post-match press conference.

"We tried to score. We had three or four chances, but we couldn't convert any."

The 50-year-old tactician is convinced that the radical tactical changes he made didn't pay off at all.

"I changed the playing strategy and tried to take some risks, but it didn't work. I even changed the formation from 4-4-2 to 3-5-2," he elaborated.

Great Team

The former Veracruz defender acclaimed the Premier League side, saying their pressure upfront during the encounter was unbearable.

"United are a great team, it was hard for us to keep up with their pace," said Bauza.

"In the first half we couldn't do what we wanted on the pitch because they had three forwards (Ronaldo, Rooney and Tevez)."

He also dished out praise for his midfielder Alejandro Manso, saying a bright future is ahead of him.

"I am pleased with Manso. I am sure he will be better in the future," he added "He will become the core player of the team."

Closure

Even though Liga were condemned to a defeat, Bauza sounded his satisfaction over the participation in the World Cup final game.

"I am really proud that we represented Ecuador in the final of the CWC," he revealed.

Sunday's match was the last for the 50-year-old tactician with the Ecuadorian champions, as he's set to move away from the club in the immediate future.

"It is an addition to me as a coach. Now I'm satisfied to leave the team and move on," he said.

"Every year around this time, I'm busy thinking about my team and buying new players.

"But I will spend this Christmas with my family with nothing to worry about."