Should Fergie ring the changes?

A dismal performance from Manchester United against Bayern Munich sent them crashing out of the Champions League's last eight for the second year running.

Can they bounce back? Or, as captain Roy Keane has suggested, does it spell the end of the road for manager Sir Alex Ferguson's current side?

Tell us what you think.

After the match, Keane said the current squad might have achieved as much as they can, adding that it could be time for a shake-up.

Sir Alex also hinted before the clash that more European disappointment would prompt wholesale changes to his squad.

Names have been banded about with the likes of Ruud van Nistelrooy, Patrick Kluivert, Edgar Davids and Rivaldo mentioned as maybes, needed to instill new life into the squad.

So who should stay and who should go? After a frail defensive display Sir Alex is almost certain to bring in some big names at the back.

But who would you sign?

Should Ferguson ring the changes?

Tell us what you think

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It is time to say goodbye to Andy Cole and Dwight Yorke, who just don't cut it in Europe. I would pay Teddy a king's ransom to stay, with his guile and craft and the power of Ruud or the sheer knack of Ole, United would stand a better chance. Flair in midfield is also necessary, again United failed miserably in this department in Munich
Jarlath Scannell, Ireland

In my opinion, serious changes need to be made at Old Trafford and I think that United have to be cruel to be kind. Dwight Yorke is an outstanding player but it is clear that it is his time to move on. He has lost the appetite for success and I get the feeling that it would be be better for both player and club if he moved on in the summer. Secondly, I think that Mikael Silvestre is just not United standard. I think that if he had been a promising young defensive talent, there is no way Inter Milan would have let him go. I think that these two players should and will go in the summer, possibly with Sheringham, who is not happy with the contract United have offered. Other possible candidates for the clear out would be Blomqvist, or even Nicky Butt.

I hope Fergie models his new side on Real

  Alex Allen, England

Rumours are rife about a possible Beckham departure, one word - suicide. OK he hasn't had the best of times since the turn of the year, but surely his talent cannot be questioned. As for arrivals i think that three or four quality signings are required. Van Nistelrooy seems to be on his way which is a good start, but talk of a Rivaldo deal is intruiging. Despite being 29, I think that he is worthy of the title of a great player, but £25m?! I'm not sure. If I had my choice, I would sign Van Nistelrooy, Nedved, Lizarazu and Rivaldo. Succes in Europe will return to Old Trafford next year!!
Glenn, Ireland

I think that Fergie should sell Andy Cole as he has seen his best days but they could still get some money for him.
Greg Flewitt, England

Dwight Yorke is NOT United's best striker. The partnership between Yorke and Cole just doesn't exist these days. United have been dogged by their achievments in previous seasons and they are never going to emulate that acievement. Juve are a better team the Bayern team they played, and United lost comfortably. Whatever happens, I hope Fergie models his new side on Real rather than Bayern, because their football is just terrible.
Alex Allen, England

A more tactful way of going about things here would be far better. It is eay to say that many of the "older bunch" are now past their sell-by date and should leave, but what about guys like Denis Irwin, who have served the club with distinction for many seasons and did not even play against Munich? Sir Alex has to carefully analyse which players are boons or banes to the team, and base his opinion on many such factors. It is a long process, but we should see a better team in the future.
Mani Thangadurai, India

Is Luke Chadwick Giggs' successor?

Fergie should obtain the services of three to four top players in this his last year as coach in order to create a competition for places and eliminate the complacency which has set in. My suggestions are Lillian Thuram to cover for Brown and Stam and a top right full-back instead of Gary Neville. In midfield Edgar Davids with the possibility of Rivaldo only if Beckham should go. Up front a striker who has shown the ability to score against the best defences which are unarguably Italian ones. This means Vieri or Montella or failing these Hasselbaink or Van Nistlerooy. Finally, more games should be given to Luke Chadwick who is presently more effective than Ryan Giggs.
Martin Borg, Malta

You cannot buy your way to success. The likes of Leeds and Liverpool are emerging to take United's throne and they have a mix of academy players, players bought reasonably cheaply that have the potential to develop and a couple of big signings. The most important thing is they must play as a team and not be 11 superstars on a pitch. It's not a question of buying great players, it's a question of getting what you have to play well together. Man Utd showed this week they can't. Maybe Alex should retire and give someone else a go?
Michael Thomas, UK

Is this the old sign that as soon as a manager hints of his departure date, then his ability to motivate players declines? Lazio went into freefall once Eriksson expressed interest in the England job. I think Ferguson needs to buy players whose careers MUST hit paydirt next season, and who would be happy to move on again if the new boss didn't see them in his plans. Jimmy Floyd if available? Paolo Maldini or Thuram at left back? Rivaldo for Beckham? Henrik Larsson (might go if Martin O'Neill were tipped the wink about the succession in his favour)? Effenberg (if Hitzfeld were going to get the job...)? Redondo to strengthen the midfield?

Out: well, I'd go for Yorke, Cole, Beckham and possibly even Keane. He may feel that at this stage of his career, a move abroad would round things off nicely.
Rhys Jaggar, England

Man Utd just crack under the pressure

  Steven Dannatt, UK

It may be complacency from Ferguson or the status of United as a plc but the squad has been allowed to deteriorate. The desperate signing of Goram illustrates that. With Johnsen injured Utd only have two centre backs. They've recently had to use Neville when Stam or Brown has been absent. They only have five midfield players of quality. Lose two players to injury/suspension and Ferguson has had to play Phil Neville completely out of position.

Lose either Giggs or Beckham and the entire shape of the midfield has to change. Scholes out on the right is ludicrous as Coventry proved let alone Bayern (2-2 until Beckham came on). Apart from the four strikers the team picks itself. There's no competition for places, no real demands that the players perform.
Mac Howard, Australia

Andrew Cole is a quality player in the premiership, but he is simply not good enough at the highest level when chances are fewer. Lets hope Ruud is better.
Darryl Curtis, UK

Once again when it came to the knock-out stages, Man Utd were found wanting. Unfortunately, they became to cosy with the comfort zone of the league format of earlier rounds. Don't forget that when Liverpool won their four European Cups it was when it was exclusively for Champions, and every round was sudden death. Man Utd just crack under the pressure.
Steven Dannatt, UK

A star striker could just give them that cutting edge... what about Larson?

  Russell, Scotland

Man Utd played very poorly against Bayern, there's no doubt about that. But what's all the talk about needing massive change? They already won the league title! As for individuals, they need a solid defender and that's it. There has been criticism of the strikers but you can't score without a chance, which they had few of in Munich. One last message to Ferguson: don't let Yorke go, he is Man Utd's best striker.
Aman, USA

It's hard to pin down where United have gone wrong. After the European Cup win, everyone was predicting great things from a squad that was still maturing, but for some reason they haven't quite cut it. I think they must kepp the backbone of the team they have in star players like Barthez, Stam, Keane, Scholes, Giggs and Beckham but look to add on top of that. A star striker could just give them that cutting edge... what about Larson?
Russell, Scotland

There are more factors to the dismal performance than not-good-enough players. For one, playing individuals in the right positions. Giggs failed to make any impact in the centre of the pitch. Scholes on the right wing. I know this is the age of versatility and flexibility, but such experimental changes should not have been made for such a crucial game. Related to that is proper tactics and positioning. Fergie has shown signs that he is losing the plot - games must be won in midfield, not by just plonking more strikers on. So forget about bringing van Nistelrooy to Manchester because we may see five strikers or more on the pitch falling over and in each other's way! Time for the gaffer to get a grip on things, especially the midfield.
Geoffrey, Malaysia

The problem, as usual, lies not with individual players, or even the manager, but with unrealistic expectations on the part of the fans, admittedly justified by the ridiculous amount of money that passes through the club. Just because Man U have so much cash to throw around does not mean they have a God-given right to win everything. Ask Blackburn about that one...

The simple fact of the matter is that they peaked a couple of years ago with an incredible treble, and there is nothing they can do now to satisfy their fans except repeat the performance.
Gareth, England

Manchester Uniter are not Midlesborough or Chelsea. Their heart and soul are what characterise the team. The stars were Best, Charlton, Cantona. Now they are Giggs, Beckham and, in the future, Chadwick and Healey. Certainly, bringing in established stars like Kluivert, Ronaldo or Anelka would not fit and Manchester United would become yet another West Ham, Marseille or Paris St Germain.
C Wong, Mauritius

Perhaps it is time to cash in Beckham?

  Nicholas Collins, Rep. of Ireland

The simple truth is that it's time to reinvent ourselves. United have done marvellously over the last decade. How many United fans would take the same over the next decade? Would we be prepared to sacrifice four or five premierships for a couple of Champions League titles? These are the questions that have to be answered in deciding what players to bring in and who to replace. Raul, Figo, Nedved, Rivaldo etc. may well be able to raise their games' to defeat the best in a Champions League semi-final, but how dedicated would they be during the cold damp winter months, playing the likes of Coventry, Bradford, or even Halifax in the FA Cup. The question is equally applicable to Ferguson's successor.
Pat P, France

Some things were proven against Bayern. Wes Brown is a very promising player but suspect on the big occasion. Also he's not a specialist central defender. We need to bring in a top class replacement, perhaps Sol Campbell? and move Wes out to right back for a couple of years. Up front, at least one new player is needed. The current crop look predictable, and tactically United looked out of their league. A bit like England when Kevin Keegan was coach maybe it is time for a European coach. The Reds will be back, you can be sure of that.
Peter Honeyman, Australia

I think it's time for Manchester United to bring in fresh blood, in defence especially. Stam and Brown are good defenders but apart from them United's defence is poor. Roy Keane needs another top quality partner in the centre of the park, Scholes is class but is more effective in an advanced role. I heard a rumour that Riquelme going to Old Trafford, he is an outstanding Argentinian young player. Riquelme is the kind of player that is needed, he can bring that spark back to United's attack. Perhaps it is time to cash in on Beckham? Sir Alex could bring in two quality players with the money he would command. United are becoming too dependant on the service of Beckham, other teams have this season successfully countered his obvious talent.
Nicholas Collins, Rep. of Ireland

There is no need to panic buy

  Neil Phillips, UK

Has Fergie lost the plot? Putting Paul Scholes on the right wing was certain suicide, and Andy Cole once again proved he is definitely not one for the big games.
Chris Watts, Surrey

There is no need to panic buy. United only need to acquire a couple of quality players like Davids and Van Nistlerooy - this would freshen the team and provide an extra style in Europe. United will always win the Premiership and qualify for the last eight in Europe, but they need some players who can win big knockout matches
Neil Phillips, UK

I stayed up till the wee hours of the morning just praying to catch a glimpse of a winning goal from Man Utd. It did not come! But I will continue to support them through thick and thin. I am sure they will bounce back with global stars like Rivaldo, Nedved, Davids and Sol Campbell. Tell Barcelona to go fly a kite if they want Beckham. He's not for sale.
Wong Mun Chong, Singapore

I was at the game last night and can't help agreeing with the German press. Who once again referred to an English team as playing kick and rush. United reverted to the high ball and require class replacements for Cole, Yorke, Neville and Sheringham. A continental coach is a must.
Neil Maslin, Germany

Are Becks days numbered at United?

Why can't people give Bayern some credit? Alex Ferguson didn't once offer his congratulations to the Germans on a superb performance but you would expect that of him. It's time to stop navel gazing and realise that there are lots of good teams around who can beat each other.
David, UK

I wonder how many United players would be snapped up by the likes of Real Madrid if they were put up for sale tomorrow

  Mark Donnelly, UK

Manchester United have been a shadow of the team that won the Champions League two years ago. On the way to that success they played with flair, invention and belief, things that were clearly lacking last night and throughout the whole campaign. The team of '99 would not have played so poorly away at PSV and Anderlecht, and it is now time for Ferguson to replace Yorke, Cole and Silvestre and to bring in another quality central defender, as Wes Brown has been found wanting on the big occasion.
Gary, UK

To be among the top four clubs in Europe you need top draw players in every position and in depth. The midfield looks sound but other then Stam, and forgiving young Brown and Silvestre, I wonder how many of the other front and back line would be snapped up by the likes of Real Madrid if they were put up for sale tomorrow? At least another one up front and in defence is needed.
Mark Donnelly, UK

Who in their right mind wants to play for Manchester United? They are not that great after all. It rains in Manchester a lot and their best ever manager is going soon and United are going nowhere...Rivaldo, I don't think so!
Perry Glover, England

As a season ticket holder at United I have witnessed some of the most thrilling football displays you are ever likely to see. However over the past two seasons the football at Old Trafford has become sterile and textbook. I believe one of the reasons for this could be the appointment of Steve Mclaren, maybe the modern day tactics employed by McLaren is stunting the creative flair of United. I also agree fresh blood needs to be brought in to combat complacency in the camp. The likes of Davids, Van Nistelroy, Nedved and Larrson will do nicely. Players out should include: Phil Neville, Sheringham, Yorke and Greening.
Stephen Hudson, England

In the summer of 1995 three top United players were sold and Sir Alex Ferguson decided to field the young guns for the new season. I believe that the same will happen again with Chadwick, Greening, Wallwork, Webber and Wilson establishing themselves in the United side. Ruud van Nistelrooy wouldn't go amiss either.
Robert Cooper, England

Is it time for the Nevilles to go?

Someone who can pass the ball should replace Gary Neville. He's been consistently awful this season.
Chris, UK

I'm not a Man City fan, but if I was I'd be pretty irritated by the scoreboard in Munich last night - the listing for the losing side simply said 'Manchester'.
James Durrant, UK

I don't know how a team that has just won the Premiership by a huge margin can be labelled as failures. If any other team in England had won just that it would be a hugely successful season for them. Just watch them next season, they always do well after a setback.
Pete Evans, UK

It's easy to sound wise after the event, but I felt from the start of the season that United were far too complacent by only adding Barthez to their squad. They may still have been streets ahead in the Premiership, but their team and style are too well known and understood by the major European sides by now - they needed some fresh faces in there to give them some new options.

Their defence has been found out far too often in Europe this season (even by some of the weaker sides). In midfield they rely too heavily on Keane and Beckham, and they need at least one more top class striker if they're going to be serious contenders in Europe again soon.
Steph, England

As a United fan, I can only say it is time to sell Andy Cole who was pretty dismal against Bayern. Alex Ferguson should now make his changes and bring in Van Nistelrooy.
Dominic Turnbull, England

Should Fergie make a move for Steven Carr?

Doom, despair, depression and dodgy defending - last night's action summed up in five 'd's. ,It is a bit too soon to speak of wholesale changes but Thuram and Lizarazu would be great additions to the defence, thus allowing young players like Brown and Silvestre, who are very promising, a little more time to develop. At least three strikers seem to be going through a dip in form, which doesn't exactly encourage competition for places. United should buy one of the following three: Patrick Kluivert, Henrik Larsson or Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink. As far as the midfield is concerned, there's no need to bring anyone else in, especially given the way Luke Chadwick came on and instantly started causing the Bayern defence problems.
Roy, Manchester, UK

They need to buy three players, a defender a midfielder and a tall attacker. I would pick Steven Carr, Rivaldo and van Nistlerooy .
Ben Brice, UK

So Man Utd are out of the European Cup. All the wailing is rather pathetic. Let us not forget that they were not good enough to progress very far in the FA Cup either! On their day, any team can be beaten in a knock-out competition. Will Sir Alex now campaign for the Euro Cup to be a league-only format to the finish?
Alistair Anderson, UK

I totally agree with everything Roy Keane said. It's time for United to inject some new blood into a side which is struggling to hold it's own against the cream of Europe. Despite their complete dominance at national level. The victory in 1999 was an incredible achievement and although a lot of the same players featured, the team is not the same. Ferguson will retire from Old Trafford with only one European Cup unless he brings in some new, quality talent to increase the technical competence and depth of the squad.
Nicky B, France

As a Manchester City fan do you think Manchester United will give us some of their cast offs? We could do with the help!
Ian Rimmer, Germany