As any football fan knows, supporting your team comes with ups and downs. As a lifelong Manchester United fan, I've been fortunate enough in the last 20 years or so that the ups have by far outweighed the downs. Prior to that, one or two Cup successes aside, life wasn't always a bed of roses for United fans and it’s these tough times that make you appreciate the good times. 

And so to Rome last week for what must be the pinnacle for any supporter – the Champions League final. It's fair to say that this season's final was the 'dream final' against Barcelona, but unfortunately for me and all United fans, Barcelona outplayed us and the dream was over for this season at least.

Barcelona aside, the other winner of the night for me was the Olympic Stadium in Rome. A fantastic venue within which both sets of supporters created an incredible atmosphere as the Gladiators faced each other on the pitch. 

As I watched the United players desperately running round in ever-decreasing circles, as Barcelona gave a master class in how to pass the ball (and score goals) though, something occurred to me. This modern day Coliseum of sport was not just a football stadium, but was also an athletics facility with the running track circling the pitch. 

There is a school of thought which says that football stadiums should be used for football and football only. There is no doubt in my mind that the game in Rome proved the opposite. I've been to countless games over the years and the atmosphere is a critical part of the experience – and it's the spectators who create this atmosphere (albeit inspired by what’s happening on the pitch). The fact that there was a multi-sport stadium with an athletics track round the pitch didn't seem to take away from the excitement and noise last week. Nor, I suspect, does it alter the atmosphere at a Roma v Lazio match in the stadium both clubs share. 

Next year I hope to be at the final again with United – hopefully this time watching Ryan Giggs slot home the winner in the last minute – but United or not, running track, or no running track – the atmosphere will no doubt be electric.