Where now for Ferguson's Euro failures?

Bayern players celebrate their opening goal

BBC Sport Online's Andrew Warshaw considers the implications of defeat in the Champions League for Manchester United - and the chances of Leeds' fairytale run continuing.

For almost two years, Bayern Munich had waited for revenge, yearning for the night when they could finally lay to rest the despair of Barcelona.

On Wednesday, they accomplished their mission and Manchester United, for the second season running, came up short when it mattered most - in the Champions League.

This time, there was no tactical master stroke from Alex Ferguson, no dramatic last-minute twist of fate despite a strong and spirited late rally.

This was Bayern's night, erasing that memorable defeat by United in the 1999 final as they swept on to play Real Madrid in the last four, a repeat of last season's semi-final.

Technically superior

United, so dominant in the Premiership, had once again failed stamp their authority on the cream of Europe.

And that raised more than a few questions about the depth of quality of Ferguson's team and where they go from here.

Crushing all pretenders to their championship throne, this time with a month to spare, is one thing.

But as United found to their cost, all the slick passing, movement off the ball and razor-sharp finishing counts for nothing when the opposition is technically superior.

Roy Keane and Jaap Stam feel the pressure

Forget the fact that David Beckham was suspended at the Olympic stadium in Munich.

The United midfield star may well have provided more width and superior delivery. But he would surely have been unable to influence the outcome.

United are now clearly at a crossroads, with no credible opposition at home yet second best when it comes to taking on and beating their main rivals in Europe.

Gunners spiked

Ferguson, with only one more season in charge at Old Trafford, will be acutely aware of this and big decisions now have to be made to regain the prize that matters most.

As, no doubt, they will have to be at Arsenal. Like Ferguson, Arsene Wenger had targeted the Champions League above all else.

Yet the Gunners, to Wenger's huge disappointment, also bowed out of contention just when they were within sight of the finishing line.

Which makes it all the more ironic that Leeds United, who most expected would be the first English team eliminated, are the only ones left in.

It also puts the actual state of English football - big on excitement, goalmouth action and team spirit but too often lacking in finesse - into proper perspective.

Three teams in the last eight of the Champions' League was a fantastic feat - but one in the last four is far more realistic.

None in the final? Don't bet against it.