Sir Alex offered no excuses for his side's shock exit
from the Champions League after the 2-1 defeat in
Basel.
Phil Jones' late header proved to be a mere consolation as goals
from Marco Streller and Alexander Frei sent the Swiss side
into the knockout stages at the Reds' expense.
United instead face Europa League football for the first
time next year which will present a fresh challenge as it
remains a trophy the Barclays Premier League champions have never
won. Nevertheless, the necessary changes to the fixture schedule
presents its own problems for the boss.
"Of course we're disappointed," he stated. "There's no other way
you can feel.
"We had so much possession of the ball and so many really good
opportunities in the last third of the field. Some of our play
up to that point was very good but you have to say we let
ourselves down with the finishing past.
"The Europa League is a competition I've never been in at
United and it does mean one thing - Sundays right through.
Thursdays and Sundays. That's got to be dealt with and it's not the
best but that's our penalty for not qualifying tonight."
the man has said it. he will rotate and field his youngsters
for Europa league, as it plays on Thurdays unlike CL, who plays on
Tuesdays and Wednesdays.