Man Utd's Premature Champions League Dropout

Throughout the past 15 years, no verdicts would have predicted Manchester United's exit in the UEFA Champions League group stage. Booking a place in the knockout stage has been a formality. There was no difference this year, after seeing convincing victories over their fellow Champions League contestants, Arsenal and Chelsea.

Sir Alex has always stated that 10 points would be enough for qualification. In fact, only Manchester City failed to qualify with 10 points this year.  Sir Alex was well aware of the threat from Benfica, who caused their miserable European campaign in 2005. One away point was satisfactory. While six points from Gelati was almost a guarantee, the X Factor was Basel.

Alexander Frei's first of two goals to bring Basel
within a goal with Manchester United

A strong performance in early season made Alex Ferguson reluctant to alter the first XI for Premier League. Fringe players like Carrick, Fabio, Fletcher and Berbatov were offered playing times in the European matches. The "second string" team, together with the experienced Giggs and Park, should have more than enough to outscore their opponents. Alex's faith had been well-rewarded, until Basel striker Frei magically turned the once-look easy game in Old Trafford into an embarrassing draw.

Complacency took another two home points away from United, this time by Benfica. The trip to Switzerland was far from an enjoyable skiing holiday trip. When Streller had stunned United players 9 minutes into the game, the three times finalist in the past four years looked completely toothless to fight back, with the most threatening attack coming off their opponent's boot, sarcastically.

United might have not played an under-strength squad at all in the six group matches. Nevertheless, the over-cautious formation, woeful defence, and the lack of energy and urgency have shown the failure of the backroom staff to retain the winning mentality of the team in local league. Sir Alex might have even put the weight on the wrong side between winning streak and physical fatigue of players. Clinching a place in the knockout stage, convincingly or so, brings stability and motivation to the dressing room. Fringe players can also earn pressure-less playing time to regain match fitness and confidence more effectively.

In contrast, the defending Premiership champion has never recovered since the dramatic 3-3 draw against Basel, not to mention the disastrous Manchester Derby defeat. The shocking exit in Carling Cup has also shown the lack of match sharpness of 2nd string players like Macheda, Mama Biram Diouf and Gibson.

The two Spanish giants have demonstrated the perfect example in how to clinch in the group stage. They may not have the squad depth that United has been enjoying, but having booked their places in the knockout stage before matchday 6, fielding youthful teams were more than affordable. More importantly, key players were all well-rested to prepare for the fierce fight of El-Clasico.

Manchester United might even have to show admiration, unwillingly, to their once crushed rival, Arsenal. Drawing into a tricky group with Marseille, Olympiakos and Dortmund, Arsenal produced timely performance and had reserved travel miles to Greece in the last matchday for the jaded Van Persie, Arteta, Walcott and Szczesny. Meanwhile, Manchester United has lost their captain and key defender Nemanja Vidic for the season, who only adds misery to the already sorrowful campaign.

They might have lost some millions and a spiritual leader, but focus can be regained on the Premiership, a much needed title to the potentially tragic season. The December fixtures have been relatively kind to the Red Devils, compared to their city rival, who has a back-to-back battle against Chelsea and Arsenal. All twelve points from QPR, Fulham, Wigan and Blackburn will prove to be invaluable in the tight title race. Alex Ferguson must find a way to mix in the more experienced batches, Carrick, Park and Giggs, in order to bag more convincing victories and to restore the dipping confidence of the young players. The 4-1 victory against Wolves was a much better performance, especially the partnership of Carrick and Phil Jones in the central midfield (of course, thanks to the much void Wolves defence).

In 2005, a shocking European exit was followed by ten consecutive victories. Nobody has ever doubted Alex Ferguson's managerial ability and experience. If Ashley Young, Danny Welbeck and Chris Smalling are able to show determination and persistency in their games, Manchester United is still favourites for the title.