Nani wept after United exit

Manchester United winger Nani wept in the dressing room after the Champions League exit in Basel.

United were eliminated at the group stage this year, having previously reached the Champions League final three times out of the last four, and Nani said the defeat had a huge effect on the players.

“I wept like a kid in the dressing room in Basel,” Nani told The Daily Star.

“All of my team-mates were also affected because nobody could quite believe that we had been knocked out at just the group stage. It was like hell in there.”

“This defeat and the loss at Wembley in the final last May have been the worst two days in my United career.”

“I am so sad about what has happened. It is almost unbelievable. The dressing room in Basel was like a funeral.”

United manager Sir Alex Ferguson has been criticised by UEFA president Michel Platini for describing the Europa League as a penalty for failing to qualify for the knockout stages of the Champions League, while Nani has confirmed that the club’s aim for the season is now to retain their Premier League title.

“This squad is one which is ready to win big titles, so to go out like this is a complete nightmare,” he said.

“We know we are better than some of the other teams, so it is hard to be able to work out exactly how this has happened.”

“I do not think that we were too arrogant or complacent. United are a team which always respects their opponents.”

“We are damaged but this is the moment for us to soar, and try and bounce back. Now the Premier League is our main objective. It is necessary to be champions.”

“But the boss is a man who knows how to pick his players up and will help us get back on track.”