United are primed to put their European misery behind them when the Champions League kicks off later this month.The Reds were handed an easy draw last Thursday in Monaco when they were grouped with Portuguese side Braga, Galatasaray and Romanians CFR Cluj.
But they are fully aware that this time 12 months ago they were rubbing their hands at getting Benfica, Basel and Otelul Galati.
Sir Alex Ferguson couldn’t have hand-picked that trio better and likewise this campaign.
But the Reds boss has already admitted he and his backroom staff made the mistake of integrating too many youngsters in the belief they’d sail through qualification. United got their backsides kicked when throwing away leads last Old Trafford against Benfica and Basel. The players, too, appeared to pick up on the vibes and complacency cost the Reds their spot in the lucrative knockout stages.
It led to the ignominy of the 2011 finalists being dumped out of the Champions League and into the second tier Europa League consolation.
It didn’t get any better at that level either losing three of their four knockout matches against Ajax and Atletico Madrid with the Spaniards ending the European flop in March.
But Fergie’s assistant Mike Phelan says United won’t be going over the top reminding the squad about the failure in the lead up to the opener against Braga at Old Trafford on September 19 against Galatasaray.
“Europe’s always big at this football club. The traditions are set within the European boundaries for United and we know we have to do better,” he said.
“We let Europe slip from our grasp too easily last year. The players are conscious and aware of that, although we haven’t dwelled on it as that wouldn’t be positive. We’ve put it down as a blip, but we know we have to do better.”
Robin van Persie’s four-goal opening Premier League burst has put the Reds in the mood for a crack at Europe again but Phelan warns that increasing United’s goal output is a must after the disastrous title loss on goal difference to City.
“You learn it’s a team game, even though individuals change matches,” he added.
“I think we know that we need to score plenty of goals. The old days of being able to win the league by grinding out 1-0 victories is gone.
“In this league now, every goal counts so we want to create more chances and score more goals. We also have to defend well as a unit. All those elements are very important.”
Former United striker Michael Owen has joined Stoke on a one-year deal.
The 32-year-old was released by the Reds at the end of last season.
Owen’s time at the Reds was dogged by injury problems but he scored 17 goals in 52 games during his three-year spell, including a famous winner in a 4-3 derby victory over City in 2009.
