Sir Alex: we were in shock

Sir Alex Ferguson has analysed Manchester United's Champions League exit to Real Madrid in an exclusive interview on MUTV - and explained why his players were undone by two goals in quick succession.

Nani's dismissal obviously had a bearing on the course of the tie but questions were still asked about how the Reds' 10 men were unable to hold out for longer against a side that went full throttle after the introduction of Luka Modric as a substitute.

The manager has his own theory on what went wrong, apart from referee Cuneyt Cakir's controversial decision, but he finds it difficult to blame his players, who finished the game strongly despite the numerical disadvantage.

Sir Alex said on Countdown to Kick-Off: "Let's be honest, it was hard to take, when you think about all the work that was done in terms of preparation for both legs. The players' performance level was fantastic. The support was unbelievable. We didn't deserve that and it's a fact.

"You just couldn't believe it [the red card]. Quite astonishing. I think, in general, we know it was the wrong decision. I think, after looking at the game again a few times, the players were shocked.

"They couldn't recover from it until we lost the second goal and then they galvanised themselves and were fantastic in the last 15 minutes of the match. They were absolutely brilliant and we could've scored five goals. It was a fantastic performance by the players with 10 men but, in that period after the sending off, they played in shock.

"Knowing we'd had a bad decision against us again, we couldn't get going for 10 minutes. Their legs went to water. That cost us. It really did. If it was a justified sending off, in our eyes, it'd have been okay because it was an absolutely brilliant performance tactically. They never made a chance so I think we'd have got through the game."

Much has been made of Sir Alex's team selection but there is no disputing the fact that his tactics were working perfectly - in both legs.

"Our analysis of Real was perfect with exactly all the qualities all the players have. We made sure we were going to be a problem for them.

"Playing Ryan Giggs in off the right-hand side gave the left-back a big problem, whether he should push in or stick and protect the area because Rafael was hunting that space all the time. And Nani's performance in wide left against the boy [Alvaro] Arbeloa was terrific."