Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson has described entering the Europa League as a 'penalty' following his side's Champions League exit.
United's 2-1 defeat to FC Basel in Switzerland saw the Red Devils crash out of the group stages of the competition for the first time since 2005.
"Of course we're disappointed, there's no other way you can feel," said Ferguson.
"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 Premier League champions will now turn their attention to their home match against Wolverhampton Wanderers in the league on Saturday.
Jack Prescott
