I make no apologies for referencing the stock joke that has been doing the rounds since the events of Wednesday night which saw Man United eliminated from the Champions League, (if you haven't head it yet, don't worry, you're not missing out, but just think about the TV station the Europa League is broadcast here in the UK and a famous french perfume brand) but instead of jumping on the bandwagon, lets try to draw the positives.

Obviously, looking at the group when the draw was made, most people would expect last seasons beaten finalists to have progressed with ease.  The fact of the matter is though, they have looked laboured and lacking a little quality on the european stage, a lot of criticism has been leveled at the youngsters in the squad, but I think this is unfair...as the old adage goes, if you're good enough, you're old enough. United started in scintillating form this season with those same youngsters, prompting a number of them to be called into the England senior squad.  Whatever the reason behind the failure is, it is not for me to try and decipher, greater tactical minds than mine will have been trying to figure it out...but whats done is done, lets move on.

The old UEFA Cup was a prestigious competition but for some reason in recent times, English clubs have treated it as a second rate competition.  Even with two finalists in recent history, they had a habit of playing under-strength sides for their Thursday night jaunts across Europe.  But why?  Every other team plays a full team for every match, if you look at the Juventus side who were beaten by Fulham, that was the best team they could have played on the day...whilst it is not the Champions League, it is a European competition, a chance to play against teams with a different footballing culture in a competitive environment.  Whilst the winning of the competition itself may not win you any plaudits as a manager, surely exposing your team to high level European competition can only be a good thing?  Roberto Mancini's reaction to being eliminated from the Champions League on Wednesday was to state that they had done well for their first ever tournament...but they had regular European competition last season...so their players should at least have that experience under their belt, but Mancini insisted on playing his "squad" players in the tournament.  Spurs are guilty of the same this season, whilst giving youngsters experience on the big stage is important, for a team aspiring to be in the Champions League, wouldn't it be better to let your first team players understand how other cultures play?

The usual excuse is that it means the team plays on a Thursday and a Sunday...now I'm no mathematician, but isn't that the same break as a player playing on a Wednesday night and then again on Saturday?  Whilst teams like Stoke have struggled in the games directly after a Europa League game, maybe this is more of a commentary on the standard of Stoke, rather than player fatigue.

Maybe what the competition needs is Man United to drop into the competition and treat it seriously.  Too many competitions are being damaged by managers and clubs treating them as lesser, but if Man United are to take it seriously, it could go a long way to changing the way the competition is perceived in the England.  They have the players to be able to play two games in close succession, the youngsters in the side are fit and have energy to burn, plus they know that they are playing for their place in team and face the 'hairdryer' if they don't give 100%.  From a fans perspective, they always want to see their team win competitions...I still inform people of our win the Ibiza Cup pre-season tournament...

At the end of the day, footballers are paid to play football, footballers love playing football, any fan in the stand would give their right arm to be playing professional football, so I think they are more than capable of playing on a Thursday night and playing well.  Come on Fergie, this could be your only chance of silverware this season...unless you draw Man City in the next round...