LYON, France (AFP) - After their narrow exit to Manchester United at Old Trafford Lyon chairman Jean-Michel Aulas insisted Wednesday the French champions could feel they had acquitted themselves well, even if they had failed to reach the last eight.

"I told the players there were more positives than negatives. We came close but the goal from (Carlos) Tevez in the first game cost us.

"We can go out with our heads held high after a catastrophic start with defeats from the off (in the group) against Barcelona and Rangers," added Aulas.

"We have to have the humility to recognise that Manchester were a bit stronger than us," Aulas concluded, adding Lyon had to concentrate now on their chase for a seventh straight league title with a tough game Sunday against second-placed Bordeaux, just three points adrift.

According to Aulas the league title defence was the top goal for the season, but nonetheless Lyon have to be disappointed they again failed to break through to the final stages of the Champions League, where they have never yet made the semis.

Cristiano Ronaldo made the difference Tuesday with his 30th goal in 30 matches enabling United to equal the competition record for consecutive home wins set by Juventus in 1997.

Nonetheless, Lyon have this season had to cope with a huge raft of injuries to key players including French international keeper Gregory Coupet and the likes of Brazilian midfield magician Juninho as well as compatriot and striker Fred.

And a highlight, amid all those injury problems, was the final pool match in Glasgow when budding talent Karim Benzema, who scored the first leg goal against United two weeks ago, bagged a brace in a 3-0 win at Ibrox Park which secured the club's passage to the last 16.