Ferguson accepts Euro failings

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For the first time since 1995, they will take part in a European competition other than the Champions League when they make their Europa League bow against Ajax in Amsterdam.

"Depending on our previous form in the group stages to make changes was working fine for us because our home record was always so good," he said. "But we threw it away in our home game against Basel and were unlucky against Benfica. That caught us short and we suffered for it."

He added: "Now players are coming back I am sure we can combine the Premier League and Europa League so I would certainly try to play my strongest team in each round now."

Whether that includes Paul Scholes remains to be seen. The 37-year-old could be the only survivor from that away goals UEFA Cup first round exit to Rotor Volgograd 17 years ago.

So far Scholes has made seven appearances since his stunning retirement U-turn last month.

Already he has made such an impression that he is being talked of as a candidate for England's Euro 2012 squad.

Fabio Capello made a failed bid to lure Scholes back to the international stage prior to the last World Cup and at the weekend, the Italian's likely replacement Harry Redknapp claimed he would love to have Scholes in his squad.

But Ferguson does not feel there is any way the veteran midfielder will abandon an England exile that dates back to the immediate aftermath of Euro 2004, when he tired of being selected out of position by Sven-Goran Eriksson.

"Do you really honestly believe that? I don't think there's any chance," said Ferguson. "His reason for refusing last time was that it was late in the day and he felt it was fair for the players who had got them there to be involved."