Three Paddy Jackson penalties meant Ulster were in the driving seat at the RDS on Saturday night until Leinster burst into life through replacement Ian Madigan.
The fly-half scored the game's only try as Matt O'Connor's troops set up a home RaboDirect PRO12 final against Glasgow Warriors - and leave Muller without a last hurrah.
Ulster went one step closer last year - falling to Leinster in the final - but 34-year-old Muller, who retires from rugby after four years at the club, insists they can learn from their Irish rivals
.
"This Ulster team's time will come, without a doubt," he said. "The facilities are there, the players are there, the set-up as well, the Academy are coming through.
"I've got no doubt that in the next five or six years there will be plenty of trophies in Ulster Rugby.
"We just need to find that extra step because that's the difference between ending second and ending first," he said.
"Obviously a side like Leinster who have won plenty of trophies in the last five-six years, know what it takes to get to that extra step."
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