Manchester United 3-3 Basel

By Phil McNulty Chief football writer

Ashley Young scored a late equaliser to rescue a point for Manchester United after Basel threatened a major shock at Old Trafford.

Danny Welbeck's double put United in control at half-time before the Swiss side stunned their hosts with a spectacular spell of three goals in 16 minutes after the break to leave Sir Alex Ferguson's side on the brink of their first home defeat in 17 months.

United's defending was shambolic throughout and Basel looked to have inflicted a serious blow on their Champions League campaign as Fabian Frei pulled one back before Alexander Frei headed the Swiss level, then gave them the lead with a penalty 14 minutes from time.

Sir Alex Ferguson berates 'careless' Man Utd

The shock to the system woke United from the slumbers - but it was only Young's last-minute header from Nani's cross that spared them only their third loss in 54 Champions League games at Old Trafford in the last decade.

Ferguson may clutch at the consolation of salvaging a draw but there was little else to satisfy United or their manager as they were run ragged by Basel's lively attackers.

Rio Ferdinand and Phil Jones suffered a torrid time in central defence as Basel striker Marco Streller terrorised the labouring England veteran and his young partner, who was given a rude awakening after winning plaudits for his performances in the Premier League.

Welbeck was selected ahead of Michael Owen and Dimitar Berbatov and he was one of the few United players to emerge with any credit on a night when a draw was arguably an exaggerated reward for dreadful performance.

While United were grateful to accept the opportunities offered by Basel's defence, they were fortunate not to be punished themselves as the Swiss created chances of their own from the start.

GROUP C RESULT

In the other Champions League Group C match Benfica beat Romanian side Otelul Galati 1-0 to sit on four points alongside Basel

The first came after only four minutes when Streller played in Fabian Frei but he seemed to panic under pressure from Ferdinand and lashed his finish high and wide into the Stretford End.

It set the pattern for a slipshod performance at the back - but Welbeck's finishing provided relief as he scored twice inside 90 seconds to ensure they had a flattering two-goal lead at the interval.

Welbeck's first came after 16 minutes when he beat Basel keeper Yann Sommer with a scuffed finish after he was set up by Fabio and Ryan Giggs - and Giggs was involved again as Welbeck swiftly added his second, this time with a far more convincing strike from the veteran's cross.

Far from being discouraged, Basel continued to fashion opportunities only to let United off the hook. Alexander Frei was the culprit after being set up again by the dangerous Streller and Jacques Zoua shot tamely into the side netting from an angle with United exposed again.

If United thought they had escaped and half-time would interrupt Basel's momentum, they were given a rude awakening as the Swiss were level within 15 minutes of the restart.

Goalkeeper David De Gea, who had been blameless amid the mess of United's performance, blocked crucially from Streller - but the reprieve was brief as Basel's superb comeback started after 58 minutes.

De Gea made another fine stop from Streller's header but the rebound fell invitingly for Fabian Frei to score.

And two minutes later Basel were on terms as Fabian Frei delivered a perfect cross for his namesake Alexander to beat the keeper with a powerful header.

Ferguson's side had lacked rhythm and tempo even when they were ahead and now they were badly unsettled by Basel's continued ambition and ability to create chances with regularity.

And with Old Trafford silenced they took the lead from the penalty spot after 76 minutes. Jones hesitated with dire consequences, forcing Antonio Valencia to fell Streller. Alexander Frei stepped forward to send Basel's travelling fans into ecstasy by giving De Gea no chance.

Dimitar Berbatov was introduced for Anderson with nine minutes left, but it was another substitute Nani who played a part in a trademark Old Trafford grandstand finish that saw Young arrive at the far post to head past Sommer.

Lineup, Bookings (2) & Substitutions (6)

Manchester United

  • 01 De Gea
  • 03 Evra
  • 04 Jones
  • 05 Ferdinand
  • 20 Fabio Da Silva (Nani - 69' )
  • 08 Anderson (Berbatov - 82' )
  • 11 Giggs (Park Ji-sung - 61' )
  • 16 Carrick
  • 18 Young
  • 25 Valencia
  • 19 Welbeck

Substitutes

  • 34 Lindegaard
  • 13 Park Ji-sung
  • 17 Nani
  • 24 Fletcher
  • 07 Owen
  • 09 Berbatov
  • 32 Diouf

FC Basel

  • 01 Sommer
  • 03 Joo-ho Park
  • 06 Dragovic
  • 19 Abraham
  • 20 F Frei (Chipperfield - 76' )
  • 24 Cabral
  • 27 Steinhofer
  • 09 Streller (Pak - 80' )
  • 13 A Frei Booked (Xhaka - 89' )
  • 31 Jacques Zoua
  • 34 Xhaka Booked

Substitutes

  • 23 Colomba
  • 05 Ajeti
  • 07 Schurpf
  • 11 Chipperfield
  • 16 Xhaka
  • 29 Kovac
  • 35 Pak
Ref: Tagliavento
Att: 73,115

Match Stats

Shots

15 12

On target

11 4

Corners

3 3

Fouls

4 9

Live Text Commentary

90:00 +5:31 Full time

Full Time The final whistle is blown by the referee.

90:00 +4:55

Effort from inside the six-yard box by Dimitar Berbatov goes wide left of the target.

90:00 +2:51

Long range shot by Taulant Xhaka goes wide left of the target.

90:00 +2:16

Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on Markus Steinhofer by Ashley Young. Yann Sommer takes the direct free kick.

90:00 +0:30

Luis Nani produces a cross, Headed effort from inside the area by Danny Welbeck misses to the left of the target.

89:28

Luis Nani provided the assist for the goal.

89:28 Goal scored

Goal - Ashley Young - Man Utd 3 - 3 FC Basel Ashley Young scores a headed goal from inside the six-yard box. Man Utd 3-3 Basle.

89:22

Luis Nani produces a cross,

89:11

The ball is sent over by Luis Nani, clearance made by David Abraham.

88:56

Taulant Xhaka concedes a free kick for a foul on Phil Jones. Direct free kick taken by Phil Jones.

87:59

Yann Sommer takes the free kick.

87:59 Substitution

Substitution Taulant Xhaka joins the action as a substitute, replacing Alexander Frei.

87:59

The offside flag is raised against Dimitar Berbatov.

87:39

The ball is swung over by Phil Jones, Dimitar Berbatov takes a shot. Save made by Yann Sommer.

87:25

Alexander Frei gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Luis Nani. Direct free kick taken by Michael Carrick.

85:46

The ball is delivered by Antonio Valencia, Markus Steinhofer makes a clearance.

85:03

The ball is swung over by Ashley Young.

84:50

Dimitar Berbatov fouled by David Abraham, the ref awards a free kick. Antonio Valencia takes the free kick.

83:57

The referee blows for offside against Luis Nani. Indirect free kick taken by Yann Sommer.

82:37

Ji-Sung Park gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Alexander Frei. Aleksander Dragovic takes the free kick.

81:54

Luis Nani sends in a cross, clearance made by Aleksander Dragovic.

81:46

Ashley Young crosses the ball, David Abraham makes a clearance.

81:17 Substitution

Substitution Dimitar Berbatov replaces Oliveira Anderson.

80:50

Ashley Young takes a shot. Yann Sommer makes a save.

80:00 Substitution

Substitution Kwang Ryang Pak is brought on as a substitute for Marco Streller.

79:28

The ball is delivered by Ashley Young, Yann Sommer makes a comfortable save.

77:31

Ashley Young delivers the ball, clearance made by Aleksander Dragovic.

77:09

Antonio Valencia crosses the ball, clearance by Jacques Zoua.

75:50 Substitution

Substitution Scott Chipperfield joins the action as a substitute, replacing Fabian Frei.

75:20 Goal scored

Goal - Alexander Frei - Man Utd 2 - 3 FC Basel Placed penalty scored by Alexander Frei. Man Utd 2-3 Basle.

74:34

Unfair challenge on Marco Streller by Antonio Valencia results in a Penalty.

70:34

Patrice Evra takes the free kick.

70:34 Booking

Booking The referee shows Granit Xhaka a yellow card for unsporting behaviour.

70:32

Granit Xhaka challenges Ashley Young unfairly and gives away a free kick.

68:41 Substitution

Substitution Luis Nani replaces Fabio Da Silva.

67:29

Centre by Ashley Young.

66:05

Centre by Ji-Sung Park.

65:01

Markus Steinhofer crosses the ball, Fabio Da Silva makes a clearance.

64:04

Markus Steinhofer challenges Ashley Young unfairly and gives away a free kick. Free kick taken by Patrice Evra.

62:27

Fabio Da Silva gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Jacques Zoua. Free kick crossed right-footed by Alexander Frei from left wing, clearance made by Phil Jones.

60:37 Substitution

Substitution Ji-Sung Park is brought on as a substitute for Ryan Giggs.

59:47

Assist on the goal came from Fabian Frei.

59:47 Goal scored

Goal - Alexander Frei - Man Utd 2 - 2 FC Basel Alexander Frei scores a headed goal from inside the six-yard box. Man Utd 2-2 Basle.

57:50 Goal scored

Goal - Fabian Frei - Man Utd 2 - 1 FC Basel Fabian Frei finds the back of the net with a goal from inside the box to the bottom left corner of the goal. Man Utd 2-1 Basle.

57:33

Corner taken by Alexander Frei.

57:16

The ball is crossed by Markus Steinhofer, Fabio Da Silva manages to make a clearance.

55:33

Alexander Frei sends in a cross, Phil Jones makes a clearance.

54:24

The ball is crossed by Antonio Valencia.

54:18

Centre by Antonio Valencia, Joo-Ho Park gets a block in.

53:40

Ryan Giggs takes a shot. Yann Sommer makes a save.

52:53

Short corner taken by Ryan Giggs.

52:46

Antonio Valencia produces a cross, Joo-Ho Park gets a block in.

51:51

Granit Xhaka takes a shot. Blocked by Rio Ferdinand.

51:05

Granit Xhaka takes the inswinging corner, Danny Welbeck manages to make a clearance.

50:39

Marco Streller takes a shot. Save by David De Gea.

49:01

The ball is sent over by Joo-Ho Park, clearance made by Phil Jones.

48:25

Antonio Valencia is flagged offside by the assistant referee. Indirect free kick taken by Aleksander Dragovic.

46:54

The assistant referee flags for offside against Ashley Young. Yann Sommer takes the indirect free kick.

45:01

The referee blows his whistle to start the second half.

45:00 +0:22 Half time

Half Time The whistle is blown to end the first half.

44:25

Antonio Valencia is ruled offside. Yann Sommer restarts play with the free kick.

42:08

The ball is crossed by Joo-Ho Park, Marco Streller has a headed effort at goal from deep inside the area missing to the left of the target.

41:11

Antonio Valencia takes a shot. Save made by Yann Sommer.

38:14

Unfair challenge on Ashley Young by Adilson Cabral results in a free kick. Shot on goal comes in from Ryan Giggs from the free kick.

36:46

Ryan Giggs crosses the ball.

35:09

Headed effort from inside the area by Alexander Frei misses to the right of the goal.

33:58

Rio Ferdinand restarts play with the free kick.

33:58 Booking

Booking Alexander Frei receives a caution.

33:50

The assistant referee signals for offside against Alexander Frei.

33:26

Danny Welbeck takes a shot. Save by Yann Sommer.

32:39

Fabian Frei gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Danny Welbeck. Rio Ferdinand takes the direct free kick.

31:11

Foul by Adilson Cabral on Ashley Young, free kick awarded. Oliveira Anderson takes the free kick.

27:07

Ashley Young decides to take a short corner. The ball is delivered by Ashley Young.

26:56

Ryan Giggs takes a shot. Aleksander Dragovic gets a block in.

25:59

Shot from close range by Jacques Zoua misses to the left of the target.

23:59

Effort from inside the area by Alexander Frei misses to the right of the target.

21:54

Effort from just outside the area by Alexander Frei goes over the target.

19:45

Antonio Valencia delivers the ball, Joo-Ho Park manages to make a clearance.

16:43

Assist on the goal came from Ryan Giggs.

16:43 Goal scored

Goal - Danny Welbeck - Man Utd 2 - 0 FC Basel Danny Welbeck gets on the score sheet with a goal from inside the box to the bottom right corner of the goal. Man Utd 2-0 Basle.

15:23

Assist by Ryan Giggs.

15:23 Goal scored

Goal - Danny Welbeck - Man Utd 1 - 0 FC Basel A goal is scored by Danny Welbeck from deep inside the penalty area to the bottom right corner of the goal. Man Utd 1-0 Basle.

13:42

Antonio Valencia produces a cross, Ashley Young takes a shot. Save made by Yann Sommer.

12:24

Marco Streller is ruled offside. David De Gea takes the free kick.

11:22

Corner taken left-footed by Granit Xhaka, comfortable save by David De Gea.

10:53

Shot on goal by Jacques Zoua from long range goes harmlessly over the target.

9:47

Ryan Giggs decides to take the corner short. The ball is sent over by Ryan Giggs, comfortable save by Yann Sommer.

9:40

Antonio Valencia sends in a cross, blocked by Granit Xhaka.

9:17

Danny Welbeck takes a shot.

8:09

The ball is swung over by Ashley Young, Header from close in by Antonio Valencia misses to the left of the goal.

7:21

Marco Streller concedes a free kick for a foul on Phil Jones. Direct free kick taken by Oliveira Anderson.

6:48

The assistant referee signals for offside against Ashley Young. Yann Sommer takes the indirect free kick.

5:00

Shot on goal by Fabian Frei from just inside the area goes over the target.

1:09

Handball decision goes against Antonio Valencia. Indirect free kick taken by Jacques Zoua.

0:00

The match gets underway.

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