I'm to blame! Fergie says he picked too many kids as United scrape past Ajax

Sir Alex Ferguson accepted responsibility for Manchester United’s surprise 2-1 defeat to Ajax as his gamble of playing a young defence backfired at Old Trafford.
It was not enough to stop United reaching the last 16 of the Europa League 3-2 on aggregate, but Ferguson’s admission will cause concern considering two of the players – Phil Jones and Chris Smalling – were called up to the England squad.

Out of control: Manchester United held on to progress to the last 16

With the Da Silva twins playing as full backs in front of David de Gea, United’s defence had an average of 21.
Ferguson said: ‘I’ve got to accept responsibility for picking the team and there were too many young players in the back-four positions tonight. That was a big problem in terms of experience at the back. It was a big risk we took.

Squeaky bum time: Toby Alderweireld nods the winning goal for Ajax to set up a tense finale at Old Trafford

‘It was a good opportunity to give Jones and Smalling a game, but their lack of experience at pushing up and tightening up a game showed. For a European game it was too much of a risk. We survived it, but it was nervy.
‘Ajax are a fantastic team in terms of keeping possession of the ball, but you don’t expect them to tear you apart at any time. They had a lot of possession but never really looked like scoring. Then they got the goal and that gave them encouragement.’

It's a cracker: Aras Ozbiliz beats the lunge of Phil Jones to fire Ajax level

Indeed, United only held on thanks to a superb David de Gea save from Siem de Jong at a time when Ajax were dominating.
It was yet another example of the young Spain star's superb reflexes, which have got his side out of trouble on more than one occasion this season.

In full flight: David de Gea makes a stunning save

'De Gea made a tremendous save,' said Ferguson.
'You think about the size of our team and they got two headers from corner kicks, which you don't expect.'

Flying start: Javier Hernandez fired United ahead after six minutes

With Athletic Bilbao looming in the last 16, Ferguson knows his side will have to improve significantly if they are to overcome the dangerous Copa del Rey finalists.
'The experienced players will play in that one,' he said.

Ray of light: United progressed despite being given an almighty scare

Meanwhile, defender Jones echoed his manager's sentiments, saying United were too complacent against the Dutch champions.
'I don't think we were at our best tonight, he said. 'We got off to a great start, scored and seemed to be in control of the game.

Off the pace: Jones said United were not at the races

'But a little bit of complacency set in. We should have won the game and we will review our performance tomorrow and take it from there.
'The manager said at half-time we've got to up the tempo and we didn't do that for whatever reasons. We weren't good enough in the second half, nowhere near.'