Given the success that Manchester City and Manchester United have enjoyed this calendar year, failing to clear the Champions League group stage hurdle is likely the equivalent of a surprise slap in the face. Both clubs had high hopes to go toe-to-toe with Barcelona and Real Madrid - instead, they are joining Stoke in the Europa League.
For City, falling short in a group that boasted Bayern Munich, Napoli and Villarreal is at least excusable. It looked tough on paper and lived up to that billing, with Napoli in particular playing far better than their league position suggested. Hostile atmospheres in Munich and Naples made those trips particularly tricky. It was also the first taste of Champions League action for the likes of Joe Hart, Micah Richards and Gareth Barry. Mistakes were bound to be made - and lessons will be learned.
United, on the other hand, can claim no such thing and next to nothing to put forward as an excuse. Presented with a gift of a group, Ferguson's men were sloppy and complacent throughout their six-game campaign, allowing Benfica and FC Basel - United's conquerors in the final group game - to cash in. As upsets go, this was a big one.
But amid all the talk of disappointment and failure, the big winner was the Premier League. The title race is intriguingly poised at present, with Arsenal surging back into the mix and Tottenham threatening to muscle their way into contention. Now, domestic action will get the Manchester clubs’ full attention – and that can only add spice to a season that has already produced a string of memorable moments.
For City, falling short in a group that boasted Bayern Munich, Napoli and Villarreal is at least excusable. It looked tough on paper and lived up to that billing, with Napoli in particular playing far better than their league position suggested. Hostile atmospheres in Munich and Naples made those trips particularly tricky. It was also the first taste of Champions League action for the likes of Joe Hart, Micah Richards and Gareth Barry. Mistakes were bound to be made - and lessons will be learned.
United, on the other hand, can claim no such thing and next to nothing to put forward as an excuse. Presented with a gift of a group, Ferguson's men were sloppy and complacent throughout their six-game campaign, allowing Benfica and FC Basel - United's conquerors in the final group game - to cash in. As upsets go, this was a big one.
But amid all the talk of disappointment and failure, the big winner was the Premier League. The title race is intriguingly poised at present, with Arsenal surging back into the mix and Tottenham threatening to muscle their way into contention. Now, domestic action will get the Manchester clubs’ full attention – and that can only add spice to a season that has already produced a string of memorable moments.
Squad rotation is no longer an acceptable excuse for City and United, particularly Ferguson’s men, who are also out of the Carling Cup. Both teams will be well rested, often benefiting from a full week between games, and that should translate into better performances and more spectacular highlights. Mancini and Ferguson have often had their eye on upcoming European games, making their selections for weekend fixtures with that in mind. It is hard to believe that the Europa League will command the same respect.
United’s Patrice Evra all but confirmed this after United's exit in Switzerland. “I'll be honest with you, the way I fell now it is Champions League or nothing but when we start playing in the Europa League we will try to win it,” he admitted. “But of course I play for Manchester United to play in the Champions League. I am not ready for it because it is a new experience. Even if it is [a] friendly, when I pull on United shirt I do my best to win that trophy. But it is embarrassing to be in the Europa League.”
At Old Trafford, even focusing on one competition might prove a challenge. Just to emphasize how the landscape has shifted over the past few weeks, the notion of United failing to finish in the top four no longer seems so far fetched. It would take a brave man to bet against the champions but the problems are mounting for Ferguson. Captain Nemanja Vidic is expected to miss the rest of the season due to the ligament damage sustained against FC Basel, Javier Hernandez is sidelined for at least four weeks and the likes of Wayne Rooney and Ashley Young have looked out of sorts. In short, United are one bad run of results away from having the FA Cup as the sole potential consolation prize for the 2011/12 campaign.
City, meanwhile, can have few complaints about their league campaign thus far and Mancini will feel confident that by putting more focus on their Premier League title bid, his players can hold off the chasing pack. After all, the realistic goal for City heading into this year was to win the title – that in itself would have been considered an excellent campaign. The Champions League was always going to be a bonus.
So, in theory, the Premier League will get the very best of City and United for the rest of the season. That means David Silva, Sergio Aguero, Mario Balotelli, Rooney, Nani and Phil Jones should be fit, hungry and raring to go week in, week out. For Premier League fans across the world, that prospect is mouthwatering.
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