MANCHESTER CITY NA UNITED ZATOLEWA NJE YA EUROPA CUP.

Miserable night for Manchester as City and United both crash out of Europe

By John Edwards
There was misery in Europe again for Manchester on Thursday night, as both United and City crashed out for the second time this season.Following their Champions League heartbreak in December, the Barclays Premier League title rivals saw their Europa League hopes end in the last-16 knockout stage.

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United were always up against it at Athletic Bilbao, after being embarrassed by the Basques at Old Trafford, and went out 5-3 on aggregate after losing the return leg 2-1.
City, who trailed 1-0 to Sporting Lisbon after the first match, at least came close. Two second-half goals from Sergio Aguero and one from Mario Balotelli saw them go out on away goals after Matias Fernandez and Ricky van Wolfswinkel had scored for the away side.
City manager Roberto Mancini accepted all the blame for his side's Europa League exit.
He said: 'In the first half we didn't play, but I am the manager and it's not the players' fault, but mine - I probably made a mistake.

Embarrassing: United went out without a fight

'The players did everything, and fought on the pitch.
'When a manager doesn't prepare well for the game, this happens.
'When I lose a game I think about why I lost and think about where I made mistakes.
'I understand we have big players but in football every game is difficult, and in the Europa League and Champions League it is more difficult, because every team plays to win.
'Sometimes we make mistakes, but the manager is the person who always prepares the game, and I probably made some mistakes for these two games.'

City slackers: Mancini's side were 2-0 down at half-time

Mancini's comments were similar to remarks he made after an unexpected Barclays Premier League defeat at Everton in January, when he blamed poor preparation.
City now only have their title challenge to concentrate on and, after losing top spot in the table last weekend, must now look to get back on track against Chelsea next Wednesday.
Mancini said: 'I am proud for the second half because we had a fantastic 45 minutes, but I am very sorry for the players and our supporters because they were fantastic in that second half.
'But I am disappointed in myself, not the players.
'For the second time this year, I hope I don't make mistakes against Chelsea

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-2115557/Manchester-City-Manchester-United-crash-Europe.html#ixzz1pGznmtiT