Manager Louis van Gaal said "facts" proved his Manchester United side were better than last year, after they were knocked out of the Champions League.
United failed to qualify for the last 16 after a 3-2 defeat at Wolfsburg.
Van Gaal said reaching the group stage, progressing further in the Capital One Cup and sitting fourth in the Premier League showed their improvement.
However, he said: "I cannot defend myself because we are out of the Champions League."