United 3 Basel 3

A remarkable game saw United toss away a two goal lead but still come back to grab a point.

Team News - With Rooney and Hernandez both out injured, Sir Alex still left both Owen and Berbatov on the bech, preferring to use Welbeck and Giggs up front. Elsewhere there were returns to the starting eleven for Fabio, Ferdinand, and Carrick.

United - De Gea, Fabio, Ferdinand, Jones, Evra, Anderson, Carrick, Giggs, Valencia, Welbeck, Young

Subs - Lindegaard, Owen, Berbatov, Parlk, Nani, Fletcher, Diouf

First Half - Basel started well pushing forward but the momentum, in the first attack of the game, was lost when the passing became too complicated instead of unleashing a shot. Basel continued their bright start when Streller found Frei with a pass but the experienced striker shot over the bar.

Although under early pressure, United should have taken the lead when a Young cross found Valencia but he could only direct his header across goal, as opposed to in it. Giggs engineered another chance but Welbeck saw his effort roll wide as the keeper advanced to close the space down.

Sixteen minutes into the game and United were ahead. The goal coming after a decent build up saw Fabio crossing for Giggs who laid the ball off for Welbeck to scuff his shot home.

United 1 Basel 0 (Welbeck - 16 minutes)

A minute later the lead was doubled when Welbeck grabbed a second. Once again the assist came from Giggs who teed up Welbeck who turned in the low cross at the far post.

United 2 Basel 0 (Welbeck - 17 minutes)

Fair play to the Swiss side though, despite conceding two goals in two minutes they were still showing some attacking instincts. The visitors created two chances with the first seeing a crafty back-heel from Streller find Frei who shot wide from ten yards out and the second saw Frei set up Zoua who found the side netting.

Welbeck, seeking a first half hat-trick, saw a first time shot saved by Sommer. Valencia, looking to put the match totally out of Basel`s reach saw his effort hit the keepers` outstretched leg.

Half Time - United 2 Basel 0

Second Half - United thought they`d extended their lead when Young converted a cross from Valencia but he was offside. Basel could have reduced the arrears but De Gea pulled of a good stop to deny Streller.

Basel, having survived a United onslaught, reduced the arrears when Fabien Frei scored. The goal came after De Gea had made a decent save to deny Streller but from the resulting corner Fabian Frei buried a half volley.

United 2 Basel 1 (F. Frei - 58 minutes)

Seconds later it was all square when Alexander Frei equalised. The goal coming after Fabian Frei had set up Alexander to net with a powerful header past De Gea.

United 2 Basel 2 (A. Frei - 60 minutes)

Sir Alex responded by replacing Giggs with Park. Not long after another change was made when Nani came on for Fabio.

Matters took a turn for the worse when Basel were awarded a penalty which was duly converted by Alexander Frei, the penalty being given after a clumsy challenge by Valencia on Streller.

United 2 Basel 3 (A. Frei - 76 minutes)

With eight minutes of normal time left, Sir Alex made his third change of the night, introducing Berbatov in place of Anderson as United chased the game. As time began to run out the realization hit home that United had contrived to throw away a two goal lead but all was not lost.

Sommer denied Berbatov with a save but just as the final whistle beckoned Young scored his first goal in the Champions League finishing off a cross from Nani.

United 3 Basel 3 (Young - 90 minutes)

United could have snatched a late winner when Nani delivered another great cross but Welbeck couldn`t convert the opportunity.



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