Thursday, 3 May 2007, 07:23 GMT 08:23 UK
Man Utd lack maturity
By Howard Nurse
BBC Sport football editor in Milan
Sir Alex Ferguson Another Champions League campaign is over for
Manchester United - and there can be no excuses.
United's Milan mauling saw them tumble out of the competition at the
penultimate hurdle 3-0 on the night and 5-3 on aggregate.
Sir Alex Ferguson, the United manager, was understandably downbeat
during his 15-minute press briefing in the bowels of the San Siro
stadium.
He generously applauded Milan's enterprise, fitness and
professionalism and was gracious in defeat.
Ferguson's respect for Milan coach Carlo Ancelotti meant he did not
stoop low enough to mention the fact that Milan were originally thrown
out of the Champions League after the probe into match-fixing in Serie
A last July.
Uefa later back-tracked and allowed Milan to take part in the
money-spinning tournament after an appeal.
606: DEBATE
Your thoughts on Man Utd's exit
They can now look forward to facing Liverpool in Athens on 23 May and
in their current form, many neutrals will tip them to gain revenge on
the Reds following the astonishing 2005 final which ended with the
European Cup back at Anfield.
For United, it's a case of dusting themselves down and finding the
energy to mount a League and FA Cup Double.
UNITED AWAY IN EUROPE
* SEASON 2004/05
DREW 2-2 at Lyon
DREW 0-0 at Sparta
LOST 3-0 at Fenerbache
LOST 1-0 at AC Milan
* SEASON 2005/06
DREW 0-0 with Villarreal
LOST 1-0 to Lille
LOST 2-1 to Benfica
* SEASON 2006/07
WON 1-0 at Benfica
LOST 1-0 at FC Copenhagen
LOST 1-0 at Celtic
WON 1-0 at Lille
LOST 2-1 at Roma
LOST 3-0 at AC Milan
AC Milan beat United 1-0 both home and away on their way to the final
two years ago - results that prompted Ferguson to conclude his young
team was not mature enough to prosper on the European stage.
He was asked the same question again on Wednesday by an Italian
journalist who politely asked what United's excuse for failing was
this time round.
Ferguson reiterated several times that AC Milan had grown up together
in recent years and in the likes of Clarence Seedorf have more
know-how on the biggest of stages.
"My team lack the type of experience AC Milan have gained. That type
of experience can't be dismissed. We have to keep the team together
and grow the team like Milan have done," insisted the United boss.
United have not been convincing away from home for several years in
Europe now. You have to go back to the Ryan Giggs-inspired win in
Juventus four years ago for the last time United really impressed away
from Old Trafford in the competition.
That isn't good enough and at least the signs of improvement have been
present this season, though Cristiano Ronaldo in particular was below
par against Milan.
Ryan Giggs What United do need is more depth to their squad and
Ferguson needs to halt the recent slump in form of defender Gabriel
Heinze who was all at sea in the San Siro.
Challenging on more than two fronts has cost United and Chelsea dear this week.
Ferguson is unhappy with the lack of help from the Premier League but
he refused to blame their exit entirely on their busy schedule.
He added: "We have a very tough league in England and we have been
using the same set of players over and over again in the last few
weeks, but I can't be categoric about whether that's the reason for
the defeat.
"We should be coping better. We cut our own throats and I have no complaints."
United must overcome these growing pains quickly if they are to reward
Ferguson with a second European Cup before he steps down from the Old
Trafford hot seat.
Perhaps the expected introduction of Owen Hargreaves next season will
give United more nous and solidity when they most need it.
