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Bayern knock out United

Manchester - Sir Alex Ferguson launched a scathing attack on Bayern Munich's cynical stars after Rafael da Silva was sent-off as Manchester United crashed out of the Champions League on Wednesday.

Ferguson felt Bayern's players contributed to Rafael's dismissal for two yellow cards, which proved the decisive moment in a dramatic quarter-final second leg at Old Trafford.

He also claimed Louis van Gaal's men targeted Wayne Rooney, who returned ahead of schedule from an ankle injury before coming off in the second half.

Brazilian right-back Rafael was booked in the first half for kicking out at Mark van Bommel after being fouled by the Bayern midfielder and then saw red for a foolish tug on Franck Ribery five minutes after the break.

Ferguson, whose side won the second leg 3-2 but lost the tie on away goals after a 4-4 aggregate draw, felt 38-year-old Italian referee Nicola Rizzoli had been influenced by Bayern.

"He's (Rafael) a young boy and showed inexperience, but they got him sent off. They all rushed towards the referee. Typical Germans. You can't dispute that," said Ferguson.

"The key issues were the goal before half-time and then the boy getting sent off, but it's still taken an exceptional goal to win the tie."

Ferguson's side had raced into a three-goal lead thanks to Darron Gibson's strike and two fine finishes from Nani.

But Ivica Olic reduced the deficit and, after Rafael was sent off, Arjen Robben got the crucial goal in the 74th minute.

Ferguson insisted he had no complaints about his side's performance.

"I think we've done well, performed well. It was a great performance. We were very unlucky," he said.

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