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Report: Manchester United 3 FC Basel 0

by
Naga Bethu
Tuesday 12 September 2017 23:15

Manchester United made the perfect start to the 2017/18 UEFA Champions League campaign, beating FC Basel 3-0 on Tuesday.

Marouane Fellaini stepped off the bench to head the Reds into a 35th-minute lead, before Romelu Lukaku continued his fine scoring run by netting his first-ever goal in the competition eight minutes after the break. Another substitute, Marcus Rashford, rounded off the win six minutes from time by netting on his Champions League debut.

Ahead of the game, Jose Mourinho made six changes from the Premier League draw at Stoke City - among those alterations, Ashley Young made his first appearance since May and Victor Lindelof played only his second competitive game for the club.

The sound of that famous Champions League anthem brought a real sense that the club was back where it belongs and the Reds immediately looked to take advantage of the atmosphere, going close through Lukaku before Anthony Martial fired over.

Not to be outdone, the pocket of travelling fans from Switzerland were determined to make themselves heard, but it was United who continued to press, with Juan Mata looking to play between the lines on his return to the starting eleven. And it was the Spaniard who so nearly had an assist to his name on 13 minutes, hooking a cross towards Henrikh Mkhitaryan, but the Armenian could only divert his header over.

There was a worrying moment for Mourinho's men five minutes later, however, when stand-in captain Paul Pogba was forced off and went straight down the tunnel for treatment. With Fellaini on in the Frenchman's place, it wasn't long before the Reds were creating chances once again, but this time the upright came to the visitors' aid.

On 35 minutes, Young made half a yard of room and delivered an inviting cross for Fellaini to power a header home, giving United a deserved half-time lead.

Marouane Fellaini opened the scoring as a substitute with an excellent first-half header
After the break, it was six minutes until either side fashioned a goalscoring opportunity of note, with Martial cutting in from the right-hand side and forcing a low save from Vaclik. From the resulting corner, Daley Blind floated a cross towards the far post, and Lukaku did the rest by heading powerfully into the net.

United's no.9 might have had a second goal for himself just after the hour mark, but this time Vaclik got a glove to the striker's header following Mkhitaryan's diagonal ball. Moments later, at the other end, David De Gea stayed alert to expertly tip Mohamed Elyounoussi's rising effort over the bar.

Mourinho's men then had two chances in quick succession, with Martial almost converting Fellaini's deflected cross from close range before Young's 25-yard drive was palmed around the post.

Jesse Lingard and Rashford joined the action from the bench late on, replacing Martial and Mata respectively. Marcus was immediately involved, running at the Basel defence and winning a free-kick 30 yards from goal, which he fired over.

At the next opportunity, though, the striker got his goal. This time, Fellaini found space on the right and, after Mkhitaryan miscued his effort, Rashford pounced to put the result beyond doubt. Ultimately, it capped a professional display from United, who sit top of Group A after matchday one.
Romelu Lukaku doubled the lead in the second half before Marcus Rashford rounded off a 3-0 win

THE LINE-UPS

United: De Gea, Young, Smalling, Lindelof, Blind, Matic, Pogba (Fellaini 18), Mata (Rashford 77), Mkhitaryan, Martial (Lingard 69), Lukaku.

Subs not used: Romero, Darmian, Valencia, Carrick.

Booked: Blind, Young.

 

 

FC Basel: Vaclik, Akanji, Suchy (c), Balanta, Lang, Xhaka, Zuffi, Riveros (Oberlin 77), Steffen, van Wolfswinkel (Bua 66), Elyounoussi.

Subs not used: Salvi, Gaber, Fransson, Schmid, Calla.

Booked: Balanta, Lang, Xhaka.

Injury update on Pogba
Jose Mourinho says

"I just know from experience it's a muscular injury. Those stop you from playing for a few weeks, I think."

FIVE TALKING POINTS

Injury for Pogba
The Frenchman started the match as captain, but was forced off early on with what looked like a hamstring injury. The manager is not sure about the severity of the problem, but expects him to be unavailable for "a few weeks I think".

United are back
That's right! The Reds were back dining at Europe's top table for the first time since December 2015. We spoke to fans outside Old Trafford before the game, and it was clear that there was excitement in the air. A rainy evening at the Theatre of Dreams failed to dampen the supporters' spirits, with more important games to come.

 

 

Did you spot this?
Each of United's first two goals on the night were created by full-backs and scored by Belgians. It was Ashley Young who crossed for Marouane Fellaini to head home the opener, before Daley Blind set up Romelu Lukaku for the Reds' second. Speaking of Rom….

Six in six
Lukaku is enjoying a fantastic start to life at United. His goal on 53 minutes was the striker's first in the Champions League, and sixth in as many matches for the Reds since his summer move from Everton.

 

The Felli factor
Before Tuesday's match, Jose Mourinho stressed the importance of Marouane Fellaini to the United side, and the Belgian justified his manager's praise with a towering header 10 minutes before the break. While his introduction came in unfortunate circumstances following an apparent injury to Paul Pogba, Felli certainly made his mark after coming on. He's making a habit of scoring as a substitute, having already done so against Leicester in the league this season.

 

 

Another debut goal for Rashford
If the story of Marcus Rashford's rise to prominence wasn't impressive enough, the youngster has now scored on as many as seven debuts in various competitions, including: Premier League, FA Cup, League Cup, England Under-21, England senior team, Europa League and now Champions League. What a record!

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