UEFA Youth League: FC Basel 2 Manchester United 1

The hosts lost Daniele Vesco to an injury sustained in the very first minute and there was little rhythm in the early stages. Angel Gomes showed neat trickery to force a diving save out of Jozef Pukaj but the chances started to come at the other end. Substitute Atdhe Rashiti fired wide, Alex Fojticek was called into action when Pululu threatened, Dominik Schmid pulled an effort wide and Usran Bislimi's attempt cleared the bar.

Gezim Pepsi had a free-kick saved before the Reds mustered a decent move which ended with Ethan Hamilton's drive missing the target, following a pass by Indy Boonen. After the break, Fojticek prevented Ro-Shaun Williams from putting through his own net from Noah Okafor's centre while George Tanner had to clear off the line and valiantly defend a Dejan Zunic cross. 

A goal looked to be on the cards and so it proved on the hour mark when Pululu swept an unstoppable curler into the top corner from outside the box. Tanner's foul on Pululu then allowed Kaiser the opportunity to double the lead from the spot and he made no mistake with a confident shot.

It looked a case of 'game over' for Nicky Butt's side but the Reds showed admirable spirit yet again. Gomes swung in a free-kick for Warren to dive to nod home a lifeline. Only a fantastic double save by Fojticek kept United in the game but Gomes arrowed a free-kick just wide and Boonen's deflected cross forced an awkward save out of Pukaj.

Fojticek still had to pull off another top-drawer stop to thwart the lively Pululu but Basel still clinched the points to move two points clear at the top of Group A ahead of the final fixtures.

United: Fojticek; O’Connor, Ercolani (Sang 62), Warren, R. Williams, Tanner (Baars 70); Garner (Burkart 62), Hamilton, Gomes, Boonen; Bohui.  Subs not used: Carney, Barrett, Kenyon, Galbraith.