Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson has admitted Athletic Bilbao were the better side over two legs in their Europa League last-16 tie.
United,
who this time last year were well on their way to the Champions League
final, were outplayed in both legs by the Spanish club, losing 2-1 in Spain and 5-3 overall.
United forward Wayne Rooney scored
a superb 80th-minute consolation goal but the damage was already done
as the enthusiasm and skill of La Liga's seventh-placed side proved too
much for the English champions.
"I
don't think we can complain," United manager Alex Ferguson told Channel
Five television. "There are always lessons in every football match
whether you win or lose.
"It's
the disappointment more than anything that we haven't progressed in the
Champions League and we're out of the Europa League now."
He
later added: "Trying to analyse this season against others is a bit
difficult. There is a route in terms of some of the goals we have lost
in these tournaments. They have been pretty poor. It has been a
disappointing year.
"In the second half in particular, Bilbao were the better team.
