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'Distraught' Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson skips press conference after Real Madrid exit

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Man Utd assistant manager Mike Phelan says his team must move on after their Champions League defeat to Real Madrid.

Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson was too 'distraught' to face the media after his side's UEFA Champions League defeat by Real Madrid.

The pre-match talk was dominated by Ferguson's decision to leave Wayne Rooney out of the starting line-up but opposite number Jose Mourinho defended the decision. Rooney was left kicking his heels on the bench for the first 70 minutes of the 2-1 reverse and was only introduced once the Red Devils had fallen behind. "Sir Alex has won the right for every decision to be correct and never have a question mark against them," said Mourinho. "He is the best. He is the top. "You (reporter) are nobody to put a question like that. I am nobody. "He did a great job." It is hard to argue Ferguson got the call right given the two men who profited most from Rooney's omission, Ryan Giggs and Danny Welbeck, were two of United's better performers. Nevertheless, there is now bound to be speculation over the England man's future. The last time Real Madrid came to Old Trafford, Ferguson left out David Beckham. And though - like Rooney - the midfielder was eventually introduced, he left United that summer. The next move is awaited with interest, particularly as United now have a tough FA Cup quarter-final to prepare for against Chelsea on Sunday. "The decision was tactical," added Phelan. "In that dressing room, everyone was fit. "But big decisions have to be made. Tonight we had the balance just right."

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