Ferguson: Bemoans CL exit

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Fergie still lamenting CL failure

Manchester United’s UEFA Champions League exit still irks manager Sir Alex Ferguson, who admits it has left a bitter taste in his mouth.

The Red Devils face Ajax in a Europa League clash this Thursday after being dumped out of the Champions League knockout stages for the first time since 2006.

Benfica and Basel edged the Premier League champions and are now through to the next phase of Europe’s elite competition which resumes on Tuesday.

The Reds managed to win just two games in Group C as they beat Romanian side Otelul Galati 2-0 home and away.

Ferguson has since blasted his side for their performances against Basel after the Swiss side claimed a point in a 3-3 stalemate at Old Trafford.

Galati then went on to win 2-1 in the final match of the group stage to see the Premier League champions knocked out.

However, Ferguson still remains convinced he has one of the best sides in Europe, saying: “It was a massive disappointment, because my feeling is that if we’d gone through, we would have gone on to the final.

“The problem was the home game against Basel. We ended up losing our concentration and though we managed to salvage a draw, it was a bad result.

“We dominated the return game, but didn’t score and when that happens you don’t deserve to win.

“I don’t feel we’re that far away from Barcelona and Real Madrid. I’m sure we’ll show that soon.”