Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson thinks his young brigade will pick themselves up from Wednesday's shock Champions League exit.

The Red Devils were knocked out of Europe's finest competition after losing to Basel 2-1 in Switzerland.

But the 69-year-old manager hopes it will prove a learning experience for the young players of the squad.

"These young players have already achieved many things," Ferguson said, according to The Sun.

"Chris Smalling, Phil Jones and Danny Welbeck have all played for their country.

"These will be the foundation of the club in a few years' time, there is no question about that.

"These young players got a nasty experience on Wednesday but they know they have the trust of myself and their coaches.

"They will not be hounded because of one bad performance. Time will prove us right."

Ferguson was not ready to dismiss the importance of the Europa League, which sees local rivals Manchester City face the same proposition after also being dumped out on Wednesday.

Ferguson added: "It is a good competition, a strong competition.

"You only have to see some of the teams that are left in it.

"The point I made about it being a punishment was only in the sense of for 20 years, this club has only thought about the Champions League.

"We have just thought about winning that European Cup.

"The punishment is the big disappointment of not challenging for it this year, having been in three finals in the last four years.

"It was not a slight against the Europa League. It is a competition we want to win."