United magic has gone

ALEX FERGUSON sat with arms folded in the dugout, a look of utter bemusement on his face.

It was the look of a man who knew the game was up. Of course, he would never admit it. He is a street-fighter, a man whose Govan genes decree you never admit weakness and always get your retaliation in first.

Hence, after a defeat by Benfica which saw United miss out on the Champions League knock-out phase, he trotted out familiar managerial platitudes.