Fergie takes blame for Euro struggle
Says fielding young side against Ajax was a risk.
MANCHESTER:
Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson took full responsibility for his team’s unconvincing passage into the last-16 of the Europa League and a potential meeting in the later stages with Manchester City.
The veteran manager saw his team beaten 2-1 at Old Trafford by Ajax but a 2-0 first-leg lead carried United through in nervous fashion, although it took a magnificent late save from David de Gea from a Christian Eriksen header to ensure his side did not exit on away goals.
United now face Spanish side Athletic Bilbao in the next phase with neighbours, and Premier League title rivals, City also still in strong contention.
“It would be a fascinating prospect if we got to the final,” said Ferguson. “But it doesn’t matter how you get to a final or who you play there. The important thing for us is to try and get to the final.”
United paid for fielding an inexperienced line-up that featured four defenders and a goal-keeper with an average age of just 21.
Meanwhile, Valencia joined Bilbao and Atletico Madrid, who saw off Lazio 4-1 on aggregate, in the next round when a 1-0 win over Stoke City gave them a 2-0 aggregate win. The Spanish side now faces PSV Eindhoven, who should prove formidable opponents after a 4-1 hammering of Trabzonspor for a 6-2 aggregate over the Turks.
Published in The Express Tribune, February 25th, 2012.
Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson took full responsibility for his team’s unconvincing passage into the last-16 of the Europa League and a potential meeting in the later stages with Manchester City.
The veteran manager saw his team beaten 2-1 at Old Trafford by Ajax but a 2-0 first-leg lead carried United through in nervous fashion, although it took a magnificent late save from David de Gea from a Christian Eriksen header to ensure his side did not exit on away goals.
United now face Spanish side Athletic Bilbao in the next phase with neighbours, and Premier League title rivals, City also still in strong contention.
“It would be a fascinating prospect if we got to the final,” said Ferguson. “But it doesn’t matter how you get to a final or who you play there. The important thing for us is to try and get to the final.”
United paid for fielding an inexperienced line-up that featured four defenders and a goal-keeper with an average age of just 21.
Meanwhile, Valencia joined Bilbao and Atletico Madrid, who saw off Lazio 4-1 on aggregate, in the next round when a 1-0 win over Stoke City gave them a 2-0 aggregate win. The Spanish side now faces PSV Eindhoven, who should prove formidable opponents after a 4-1 hammering of Trabzonspor for a 6-2 aggregate over the Turks.
Published in The Express Tribune, February 25th, 2012.