Manchester United manager David Moyes has urged his side to ‘get back in’ to the Champions League after ‘schoolboy errors’ saw them lose 3-1 to Bayern Munich last night.
United’s woeful league campaign means their defeat to the reigning champions in the quarter-finals has almost certainly ruled out any chance they will feature in the competition next year.
Moyes admits it will be disappointing not to play in the competition next year but returning to the pinnacle of European competition is his top priority.
“The focus now is that we get a team ready to get back in there,” Moyes told Sky Sports.
“It’s a great competition. We’ve really enjoyed it and we need to get back in it.”
Currently sitting seventh in the Premier Leauge, seven points adrift of a Champions League spot, meant winning this years tournament was the only realistic chance of playing in it next season.
And despite a 1-1 draw in the first-leg United went into the game at the Allianz Arena as underdogs.
But knowing they had to score past the Bundesliga champions to stand any chance of progressing.
After a defensive and disciplined first-half the Reds took an unlikely lead through a stunning 20 yard strike from left-back Patrice Evra just before the hour mark.
However, United’s joy and lead lasted less than 30 seconds as Bayern drew level through a Mario Mandzukic header.
As United lost all concentration following the goal Bayern pressured the English side and took the lead when Thomas Muller struck from six yards.
Eight minutes later a cruel deflection off captain Nemanja Vidic saw Arjen Robben’s shot creep past David De Gea and end United’s hopes of progression.
After the game, Moyes was critical of his side’s defensive effort in the aftermath of their opening goal.
“It probably went wrong 30 seconds after we scored,” he said.
“If you’re a schoolboy you’re told don’t concede after you score.
“They played really well but it was just a couple of small errors that cost us in the end.”
Midfielder Michael Carrick, who won the Champions League with United in 2008, said the side need to bounce back with the belief they can be Premier League champions.
“We need to come back believing we can win the title and qualify for the Champions League next season,” Carrick told Sky Sports.
“We’re not in the Champions League next season, not necessarily because of tonight but because we have been weak and haven’t been good enough over the season.”
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