Patrice Evra blames over-confidence for European "disaster"

Patrice Evra has branded Manchester United's European campaign as a "disaster" and blamed their early exits on over-confidence.

The Red Devils, who were knocked out of Champions League Group C late last year following a defeat to Basel, completed their European failure last night with a 2-1 second-leg loss at Athletic Bilbao.

The 30-year-old, who had branded playing in the Europa League as an 'embarrassment', believes that there can be no excuse for being without continental football at this stage of the season.

"From the beginning this season it has been a disaster in Europe. I think we have to tell the truth. We never played well and we deserved to go out," said Evra.

"We never played in Europe with the same desire that we have shown in the Premier League this season. We have to accept that.

"Maybe we were too confident at the beginning of the Champions League. Maybe we were thinking we have the reputation and would go through easily, but we ended up going out in Basel."

Evra has also stated that United must defend their Premier League crown to save their season.