PARIS, Dec 8: Sir Alex Ferguson would be forgiven for taking a long hard look at his star-studded Manchester United side in the wake of their failure to qualify for the last 16 of the Champions League for the first time in nearly a decade.

After what has been a dramatic year for the club Ferguson will now look to regain the confidence of the fans who watched in frustration as a decisive 2-1 defeat to Benfica capped their hugely disappointing group campaign.

Despite a winning start when Paul Scholes pounced in the sixth minute, eventual defeat meant United finished bottom of group D with only one win and three draws from six games.

It was hardly a surprise that Ferguson was unforgiving of his players.

Following Villarreal’s win, a draw would have seen United through to the last 16 but they are now out of Europe altogether. A third place finish in the group would have qualified them for at least the UEFA Cup.

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