http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/st...league?cc=4716
Fergie: We plan to win Europa League
December 9, 2011
ManU manager SAF has revealed his team will be going all out 2 win the Europa League aft crashing out of the Champions League.
In the immediate aftermath of United's exit fr Europe's flagship tournament in Basel on Wednesday, Ferguson claimed being dumped in2 UEFA's secondary club competition was a "punishment''.
However, on Friday he moved 2 clarify his comments & insisted tat United will be fully focused on lifting the only European trophy they hv never won.
"The Europa League is a good competition & a strong competition,'' he said. "You only need 2 look @ the teams left in it.
"I made the point the other night tat it's a punishment 4 us 2 be in the Europa League. Wat I mean by tat is for 20 years tis club has only thought abt the Champions League. We've only thought abt winning tat European Cup.
"That's the punishment in terms of the disappointment of not being able 2 challenge 4 it tis year, esp having been in 3 finals in the last 4 years.
"It's not a slight against the Europa League - it's a competition we 1 2 win. We're in it & we'll try 2 win it.''
United hv won the European Cup, or Champions League, on 3 occasions - 1968, 1999 & 2008 - & the Cup Winners' Cup 1s - in 1991 - but hv never lifted the UEFA Cup, which is now the Europa League.
Their last game in the competition came back in September 1995 when they went out on away goals in the 1st round against Rotor Volgograd, despite an 89th min equaliser @ Old Trafford fr goalkeeper Peter Schmeichel.