• Champions League

Fergie takes blame for Man Utd spot-kick problems

Nani missed an opportunity for Man Utd © PA Photos

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Sir Alex Ferguson took responsibility for Manchester United's penalty woes after Nani missed the club's third consecutive spot-kick during their 1-0 win over Galatasaray on Wednesday evening.

Nani saw his effort saved early in the second half of United's Champions League victory, which followed previous misses by Robin van Persie and Javier Hernandez against Southampton and Wigan respectively.

After the match, Ferguson revealed he wanted Van Persie to assume the role of penalty taker, and says he will resolve the issue before United see another opportunity spurned.

"To be honest with you, I have no idea why Nani took it," said Ferguson. "I think Nani just ran and grabbed the ball. "I thought Robin should have taken it, to be honest with you. I think we will have to decide before the game, which is my fault, I should have done that.

"We missed so many chances in the second half, that was the worrying part. Missing the penalty just after half-time still keeps them in the game. If it goes 2-0 at that stage, it would have been very difficult for them to get back."

Michael Carrick's first-half goal earned United maximum points as Ferguson became the first manager to reach 100 Champions League victories. However, Ferguson lamented his team's "lack of concentration" as they failed to put their Turkish opponents to the sword.

"We kept giving the ball away," he said. "It's unusual for us to be so frivolous but it was a lack of concentration.

"We were much more solid in the second half and we could have scored four or five. But missing chances like we did, we kept ourselves on the edge."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.