Sir Alex Ferguson has guaranteed that Manchester United will qualify from the Champions League group stages this season.

The 2008 European Champions exited the competition before the knockout stage last year but Ferguson is confident that his side will be a threat to the continent's elite teams this season.

"It's fair to say we threw that one away. That won't happen again next season," Ferguson said. "We'll qualify from the group stages. I'll make sure of it. European football is hugely important to us and we must compete for the biggest trophies.

"We need to make a statement — and show everybody last season was just a blip."

As a result of United's failure in last season's Champions League, Manchester United were forced into the Europa League but were knocked out by Athletic Bilbao in the last 16.