Manchester United's Rio Ferdinand has defended the club's younger players following their Champions League exit.

David de Gea, 21, and Chris Smalling, 22, were both criticised in the media for making mistakes in midweek against Basel. However, Ferdinand has dismissed the idea that the defeat is the fault of just one or two individuals.

"This group of young players that the manager has brought in are more than capable of producing the goods," he said.

"They are not really under question for anything that has gone on in this qualifying campaign. We win and lose together, it's as simple as that.

"It's not down to any individual or particular generation of players. It's down to us all. We bounced back after 2005 and we will do it again."

Manchester United currently trail league leaders Manchester City by two points.