Bobby Puts It Into Perspective

Sir Bobby Charlton insists 'missing out on Europe isn't the end of an era'.

Coming within weeks of Roy Keane's sensational departure, it brought huge pressure on Sir Alex Ferguson, with many pundits claiming it was time the Scot's illustrious 19-year reign was brought to an end.

Charlton: 'The criticism of Sir Alex has been quite unfair. He has done the best he could with the players he has had. In some ways, you could say the transfer window has worked against him because it has stopped him trying to solve a problem.

'But he is still a great manager and motivator and if you took away Chelsea, we would not be doing too badly at all.

'It is a disaster we are not in Europe but I have no worries about Sir Alex Ferguson or the future of Manchester United.

'We had a lot of trouble scoring goals on those European nights. There were a couple of games when I don't think we even had a shot.

'I am certain Sir Alex will put his thinking cap on and work out why it happened, how it happened and how we can put it right. I really don't know what it was. I wish I did. Maybe the opposition did not motivate the players enough, I really don't know. What I do know is that Manchester United do not have a divine right to qualify.

'Hopefully the players will learn from the experience and the next time they have the opportunity to play in Europe they will look back at this season and remember what can happen if you do not give it 100%.'

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