Of course, being purged out of competition comes with an ill feeling to almost everyone- staff, players and fans.
But there is no time of mourning for United as the mountain they need to climb is bigger than all that is lost.
The Champions League, or European Cup as it was formerly known, is an intrinsic part of this club’s history and, if we want to be part of it next season, playing on the biggest stages against the greatest clubs, in the finest stadiums, then the Reds must nail one of the still-contested places in the Premier League’s top four.
The race to finish third or fourth continues this weekend when United face Everton away.
Travelling to a difficult ground like Goodison Park with anything short of 100 per cent positivity is clearly dangerous and the manager is already conveying that message to the squad. Now is not the time to dwell on defeat.
Of course, the players are devastated about the defeat to Barcelona and that was very much evident when they left the Nou Camp.
Football can be cruel: it gives you hope, and then it throws you back down to earth. That’s what happened in Catalonia as United attempted to channel the spirit of 1999 (and 2019, for that matter) by upsetting the odds on the continent.
But, it just wasn’t meant to be.
There will always be another chance and to reach that the Red Devils must strive to finish on the top-four position.