Manchester United left-back Patrice Evra has called his side's shock Champions League exit "embarrassing" and "a catastrophe".
The three-time European champions lost 2-1 at Basel to finish third in Group C and will drop into the Europa League.
"It is embarrassing to be in the Europa League. I play for Manchester United to be in the Champions League," said the 30-year-old France defender.
"It's a catastrophe. We feel very sad but we deserve to go out."
UNITED FACTS
Continue reading the main story- Manchester United have failed to survive the group phase for only the third time in 17 Champions League
- United are the first team to fall at the group stage after reaching the previous season's final
- United last featured in the Europa League (or Uefa Cup as it was) in the 1995-96 season when they were knocked out by Rotor Volgograd
- Five of the eight goals conceded by United in the Champions League were scored by Basel
United are the first team to be knocked out at the group stage the season after reaching the final and it is only the third time in 17 years that they have departed Europe's elite club competition at this stage.
It will mean the loss of up to £20m in revenue and an appearance in Uefa's secondary competition, where most matches are played on Thursday nights.
United have made three of the last four Champions League finals, beating Chelsea on penalties in 2007 before losing to Barcelona in 2008 and 2010.
"It's a big disappointment," said Evra, who has been at United for nearly six years and was also a Champions League runner-up with Monaco in 2004.
"Since I played with Monaco, I've never been out in the first round.
Analysis
Continue reading the main story
"We played with fire. Against Basel at home we were winning 2-0 and we drew against Benfica as well.
"It's not about tonight, it's about the competition. We threw away that qualification."
After an opening 1-1 draw in Benfica, United were held 3-3 by Basel at Old Trafford in the second round of matches.
They twice beat Otelul Galati 2-0 but drew 2-2 with Benfica at home and were beaten in Switzerland.
"We should have woken up earlier in this competition," added Evra.
"It feels like a dream. I feel I will wake up tomorrow and we will have qualified. But it is not a dream, it is the reality.
"Even if it is a friendly, when I pull on a United shirt I do my best to win that trophy.
"I play for Manchester United to play in the Champions League but some players dream of playing for United in any competition and you have to respect that."
Basel took the lead through captain Marco Streller's half-volley following a goalkeeping error by David de Gea.
Analysis
Continue reading the main story "United's failings have been picked at in Europe and the consequences have been dire"Read more from Phil's blog
United hit the bar before falling further behind when Alexander Frei ghosted in behind Chris Smalling to nod home Xherdan Shaqiri's cross.
The visitors responded late on through a Phil Jones header, but Basel held on for a famous triumph.
United also suffered the loss of captain Nemanja Vidic, who was taken off with a serious-looking knee injury.
Local rivals Manchester City will also compete in the Europa League despite beating Bayern Munich 2-0 as they finished behind Napoli, who defeated Villarreal.
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