Fergie: Euro exit can work in our favour

ALEX FERGUSON hopes Manchester United’s shock exit from the Champions League will provide an unlikely help to their Premiership campaign.

For the first time in a decade Europe will be a Red Devil-free zone in the New Year.

While the knockout phase draw left Chelsea, Arsenal and Liverpool licking their lips in anticipation of mouth-watering two-legged ties with Barcelona, Real Madrid and Benfica respectively, United have only domestic action to look forward to over the remaining five months.