Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson admits they were "careless" for their Champions League elimination by FC Basel.
It all started to go wrong for United after just nine minutes, when Marco Streller capitalised on David de Gea's clearance to turn home a first-time shot.
Wayne Rooney should have levelled before the break and Markus Steinhofer's clearance rattled his own crossbar before Alexander Frei bagged a second in the closing stages.
United rallied almost immediately through Phil Jones but it was not enough.
"There is no other way you can feel. We had so much possession and opportunities in the last third but the finishing part of our game, you have to say, has let us down."
Ferguson blamed the costly failure to hold on to a two-goal lead against Basel on matchday two as the chief cause of United's disastrous campaign.
"We were careless. We let ourselves down badly," he said. "Now we have to deal with the disappointment.
"The whole club has used it as motivation many times.
"These young players will feel the disappointment tonight. They are going to have to cope with it and get on with their careers.
"It is a loss because it is the best tournament in the world. It is a marvellous tournament.
"Now we are in a competition I have never been in with Manchester United.
"It does mean Sundays right through and Thursday-Sunday matches. That has to be dealt with.
"That is our penalty for not qualifying tonight.""Of course we are disappointed," said Ferguson.
