Gray skies in Manchester after Champs League exits (AP)

LONDON (AP)—The mood in Manchester was as miserable as the gray skies over the postindustrial city landscape on Thursday morning. Wednesday’s elimination of defending Premier League champion Manchester United and resurgent rival Manchester City from the Champions League has left thousands of football fans in northwest England with little to smile about. Local pride was further dented by the progress of London clubs Chelsea and Arsenal, and the Manchester teams now must confine their rivalry to domestic competition and the much-maligned Europa League

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LONDON (AP)—The mood in Manchester was as miserable as the gray skies over the postindustrial city landscape on Thursday morning.

Wednesday’s elimination of defending Premier League champion Manchester United and resurgent rival Manchester City from the Champions League has left thousands of football fans in northwest England with little to smile about.

Local pride was further dented by the progress of London clubs Chelsea and Arsenal, and the Manchester teams now must confine their rivalry to domestic competition and the much-maligned Europa League.

At least City has wealthy owners and a five-point Premier League lead. With debts of more than 450 million pounds ($700 million), United’s finances could suffer without the Champions League prize money.