Match Report – Manchester United 3-3 FC Basel

Competition: Champions League
Kick-Off & Date: 7:45pm, Tuesday, 27th September 2011
Venue: Old Trafford, Manchester (Home) 
Attendance: 73,115


Manchester United were lucky to avoid defeat to Basel at Old Trafford on Tuesday, as the visitors went ahead after The Reds had been put into a comfortable lead. Danny Welbeck scored twice in two minutes midway through the first half, before Basel rallied to score three goals in succession through Fabien Frei and Alexander Frei, the latter also scoring a penalty. But Ashley Young spared United’s blushes in the 90th minute in ‘a draw that felt like a loss’…

David De Gea was in goal for the Champions League Group C fixture, while Fabio Da Silva and Patrice Evra started as full-backs along with Phil Jones and Rio Ferdinand in defence. Out wide were Ashley Young and Antonio Valencia, as Michael Carrick, Oliveira Anderson and Ryan Giggs filled the midfield ranks. Up-front was Danny Welbeck on his own, leaving Dimitar Berbatov and Michael Owen on the bench. Both were obviously disappointed. 

But it wasn’t too long before Welbeck justified his position in the starting line-up. After a slow start on United’s behalf, Basel were relived to escape decent efforts on goal from Valencia and Young, but it was Giggs who found Welbeck deep inside the penalty area to score the game’s opening goal on all but 16 minutes. It was a goal of the simplest proportion from The Devils, who exposed FC Basel at the back and took full advantage when push came to shove.

And just a minute afterwards, United were 2-0 ahead thanks to a carbon-copy of the first goal. Giggs again the provider, after The Reds counter-attacked following kick-off, and Basel were again caught napping at the back. The finish this time was slightly harder for Welbeck, but ‘Danny boy’ took it very well indeed. Giggsy, on his 750th Manchester United start, showed once again why he is one of the greatest footballers that has ever lived. 

De Gea made some excellent saves, while United appeared to ease-off following their two goal cushion. Welbeck was in a race to complete a hat-trick, but after a while he too settled down and seemed in no great hurry. The Reds were almost lulled into a false sense of security, as Basel pounced. Our defence was ready on the first occasion, but continually grew worse as the night bore on. United were on the back foot heading down the tunnels at half-time.

Young had the ball in the back of the net early in the second period, but was rightly ruled offside. Marco Streller tested our backline on a number of occasions, before it finally gave way to Fabian Frei, who volleyed into the back of the net following De Gea’s punch from a dangerously inswinging corner. It was a goal that could have been scored by anybody at any club, but it was paramount that United kept pressing after the goal. They didn’t.

F. Frei’s 58th minute goal was followed two minutes later by an Alexander Frei score. United were well and truly in tatters in defence, and that showed when A. Frei was allowed space to hover in mid-air and head the ball into the back of the net past De Gea. The blame was not on one defender, but the defence as a collective. A two-goal lead allowed to slip in the opposition’s favour is a rare occurrence in football, never mind at Old Trafford !

Ji-Sung Park replaced Giggs, but rather than running around like a Greyhound – he looked more like a headless chicken. Basel had been unfortunate to be 2-0 down at half-time, and deserved at least one goal, but two in a row in a matter of minutes was unforgivable. United didn’t bother to fightback, and the Swiss kept the Premier League Champions under scrutiny throughout the second half. Things then went from bad to worse in the 76th minute. 

Referee Paolo Tagliavento pointed to the spot after a clumsy challenge on Streller by Valencia. Alexander Frei duly stepped-up, sending De Gea the wrong way and putting Basel in a ridiculous position. United were falling down further and further in Group C, but in fairness there was nothing our new goalkeeper could do about it. The Reds were losing, and the supporters would leave disheartened if the hosts finished with anything other than a victory. Compromise ?

United could have had a penalty when Young was felled in the box, but the referee waved play on despite a mouthful from Jones and Ferdinand in his ear. Mr. Tagliavento clearly presumed The Reds were acting, but a spot kick would have been equal to that of Basel’s. Either way it wasn’t given, and United found their gear. Luis Nani was on in place of the injured Fabio, while Dimitar Berbatov entered at the expense of Anderson. Refreshing it was.

After some failures in attack, Nani crossed to Young, who eventually tied things up in the 90th minute thanks to a clinical header on front of goal. United could have went on to win it moments later, as could have Basel in the same dramatic fashion. But it finished 3-3, and was definitely the most exciting Champions League match of the season so far – for the neutrals – but was a nail-biting and frustrating affair for United fans in the second half. 

We better clean-up our act ! 
 

United Team: David De Gea, Patrice Evra, Fabio Da Silva (Luis Nani ’70), Phil Jones, Rio Ferdinand, Oliveira Anderson (Dimitar Berbatov ’82), Ryan Giggs (Park Ji-Sung ’61), Antonio Valencia, Ashley Young, Michael Carrick, Danny Welbeck.

Goals: Welbeck ’16, ’17, Young ’90

• Video Highlights: United 3-3 Basel

‘Like’ United Latest On Facebook