Assistant manager Mike Phelan put the failings of Manchester United in the Champions League last season down to a “blip” and the draw for this year’s premier club competition offers Sir Alex Ferguson’s men the chance to set the record straight (Manchester United 8/1 – Champions League outright).
The deposed Premier League champions missed out on the knockout stages of the marquee competition for the first time in six years and went on to be embarrassed twice by eventual finalists Athletic Bilbao in the Europa League.
Disappointment at the top table in Europe manifested itself in a 3-1 humbling by Swiss champions Basel in the final group game, which led to demotion to the second tier competition.
This time around United will take on SC Braga, Galatasaray and CFR Cluj for the right to reach the business end of the competition.
Phelan told the official club website: “We let Europe slip from our grasp too easily last year. The players are conscious and aware of that, although we haven’t dwelled on it as that wouldn’t be positive.
“We’ve put it down as a blip, but we know we have to do better.”
A cursory look at last season’s results and it is not difficult to work out where United went wrong. They conceded in two thirds of their group games and home draws against Basel then Benfica killed their chances, while they only managed one away win – against minnows Otelul Galati.
They had led 2-0 against Basel before the visitors scored three second-half goals, only for Ashley Young to rescue a point, while Pablo Aimar did the damage in a 2-2 draw against Portuguese giants Benfica.
Shortcomings in Europe, highlighted by problems in defence, would resurface later in the season when United were pipped to the Premier League title on the final day of the season. United have conceded in three Premier League fixtures so far this season and an inconsistent back four continues to be a thorn in the side.
Ferguson has looked at the bigger picture and brought in Champions League pedigree in the shape of Robin van Persie (12/1 – Champions League Top Goalscorer) and Shinji Kagawa, but it is in central midfield where the Scot has his biggest headache.
It was no surprise that the Old Trafford boss lauded over the performance of substitute Paul Scholes in the comeback win at St Mary’s, but at 37 he no longer has the legs to mix it against Europe’s best.
United can be backed at 1/5 with Totesport to win Group H, 2011 Europa League finalists SC Braga are priced up 7/1, Galatasaray next best at 8/1 and CFR 1907 Cluj rated the 25/1 rags.
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