Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson took full responsibility for his team’s unconvincing passage into the last 16 of the Europa League and a potential meeting in the later stages with Manchester City.
The veteran manager saw his team beaten 2-1 at Old Trafford by Ajax but a 2-0 first-leg lead carried United through in nervous fashion.
However, it took a magnificent late save from David de Gea from a Christian Eriksen header to ensure his side did not exit on away goals.
United now face Spanish side Athletic Bilbao in the next phase with neighbours, and Premier League title rivals, City also still in strong contention.
“It would be a fascinating prospect if we got to the final,” said Ferguson.
“But it doesn’t matter how you get to a final or who you play there. The important thing for us is to try and get to the final.”
United have never won the Europa League, in any of its various forms, and there appeared the very real danger of that record continuing as Ajax turned in a magnificent second half display.
Aras Obiliz equalised an early goal from United’s Javier Hernandez before a late header from Toby Alderweireld secured a 2-1 win on the night for the Dutch side.
United paid for fielding an inexperienced line-up that featured four defenders and a goalkeeper with an average age of just 21.
“I’ve got to accept the responsibility tonight myself,” said Ferguson.
“Playing so many young players in the back four positions was a big ask. It was a good opportunity to give Phil Jones and Chris Smalling a game.
“But their lack of experience at pushing up and tightening up a game showed. For a European game it was too much of a risk. We survived it with a bit of luck but we really didn’t play well in the second half.”
More surprisingly, given their typical dominance at Old Trafford, the defeat marked the fourth time this season that United have lost a home game following league defeats to Manchester City and Blackburn, plus a League Cup exit to Crystal Palace.
Ferguson, however, is clearly in no mood to experiment going forward in the competition.
“The next game is home against Bilbao and I think you’ll find the experienced players will play in that,” he added.
Ajax coach Frank de Boer, meanwhile, was clearly disappointed at not having pulled off what would have been one of the big upsets of the European season.
“The feeling is one of disappointment,” he said. “We could have done more. The feeling from the first minute was that we could have had a bigger victory.”
Valencia joined Bilbao and Atletico, who saw off Lazio 4-1 on aggregate, in the next round when a 1-0 win over Stoke City gave them a 2-0 aggregate win.
The Spanish side now face PSV Eindhoven, who should prove formidable opponents after a 4-1 hammering of Trabzonspor for a 6-2 aggregate over the Turks.
