Manchester United assistant manger Mike Phelan has revealed that Sir Alex Ferguson was "distraught" and in "no fit state" to talk after their defeat to Real Madrid.

The Red Devils were eliminated from the Champions League after losing 2-1 on Tuesday night at Old Trafford, and 3-2 on aggregate in a match that saw Nani controversially sent off with United leading 1-0.

The Portugal international was dismissed following a high challenge on Alvaro Arbeloa - a decision that greatly angered the Premier League leaders boss, who missed the usually routine post-match press conference.

"The manager is not in fit state to talk to the referee about the decision," said Phelan.

"It speaks volumes that I am sat here. We are all witnesses to a decision that seemed very harsh, and incredible at that moment in the game.

"Everybody was sat in the dressing room wondering what had happened and why it happened. We have a very distraught dressing room and a very distraught manager."

Cristiano Ronaldo scored the winner to book Madrid their place in the quarter-finals.