Small Frei give United shock
United had appeared to be strolling through the match, thanks to Danny Welbeck demonstrating lethal finishing with two goals in just 80 seconds to justify his place at the expense of Dimitar Berbatov.
But United had been given ample warning about Basel’s threat with the Swiss side missing a hatful of chances before they stunned Old Trafford with three goals, two from Alex Frei and one from his namesake Fabian Frei, before Young’s last-minute header saved a point for United.
Basel remain on top of Group C in the Champions League and this performance will provide Ferguson with some head-scratching, with question marks particularly against Phil Jones and Rio Ferdinand’s compatibility in central defence.
Ferguson acknowledged the result was “a wake-up call” for his side.
“I think we were careless. It’s a wake-up call in many ways. A lack of concentration saw us give the game away really...but we rescued it.
“To concede three goals at home...the defence and midfield have to be better than that in terms of concentration.
“If you lapse, the quality of the Champions League can make you suffer.”
The first half was all about Welbeck, however — having been a loan striker last season, the 20-year-old was a lone one against Basel with Ferguson surprising everyone, and not least Berbatov, with his formation.
Ryan Giggs played a key supporting role to Welbeck and was devastatingly influential with the vital touches to allow the young striker to finish.
The first came from a well-worked move. Jones brought the ball forward, Antonia Valencia took over and picked out Fabio’s run into the box. A simple ball across the box was cushioned by Giggs into Welbeck’s path and although he scuffed his shot slightly it still found the corner.
Just over a minute later and Giggs played a masterful ball that Welbeck struck home with a powerful low shot to make it 2-0.
Basel must have been cursing themselves with both Freis and Marco Streller all having missed the target from decent positions.
Basel coach Thorsten Fink must have been tearing his luscious blond air out, but the second half was a different story.
David de Gea had saved with his foot from Streller before Fabian Frei put the visitors back in the game. Streller headed on a corner and when the ball reached Frei 12 yards out he cracked in a blissful volley off the upright.
Fabian Frei then turned provider, crossing for Alex Frei to leave De Gea grasping thin air as the header soared into the net to equalise.
Ferguson had to go for it and he threw on Nani for Fabio with Valencia dropping to right-back.
Nani’s first contribution was a negative one, however, as he gave the ball away and Basel surged forward. United’s failure to clear their lines cost them dear as Streller burst into the box and Valencia brought him down.
Alex Frei made no mistake from the spot, blasting it high past De Gea and Old Trafford was stunned into silence.
Ferguson was not impressed with the award of the penalty or the performance of referee Paolo Tagliavento. He said: “I don’t think it was a penalty. You can see quite clearly that Valencia won the ball. It’s a poor decision.
“The referee kept getting in the way of the game. I think he wanted to play. But what can you do?”
Ferguson sent on Berbatov with nine minutes left and the Bulgarian had one chance with a header but Yann Sommer made a comfortable save.
The expected siege of Basel’s goal arrived as time ticked away and finally Nani’s cross found Young at the far-post and he headed it powerfully past Sommer.
Welbeck could have made himself the hero of the night in injury-time but glanced his header just wide — and a winner for United would have been barely deserved. Welbeck revelled in his own contribution but said United must not slip up in similar fashion again. “We should be finishing games like this,” he said, “it’s not like us. We’re very disappointed.”
Fabio joined United’s injury list — however, Ferguson is hopeful of having more options for the weekend’s match against Norwich in the Barclays Premier League.
He added: “I don’t think [Chris] Smalling will be back but hopefully one or two others will be coming back.”
Asked if Wayne Rooney and Javier Hernandez were two of them, the Scot said: “Hopefully.”
MANCHESTER UNITED: De Gea, Fabio Da Silva (Nani 69),Jones, Ferdinand, Evra, Anderson (Berbatov 82), Carrick, Giggs (Park 61), Valencia, Welbeck, Young.
BASLE: Sommer, Steinhofer, Abraham, Dragovic, Park, Fabian Frei (Chipperfield 76), Cabral, Zoua, Granit Xhaka, Alexander Frei (Taulant Xhaka 89), Streller (Pak 80).
Referee: Paolo Tagliavento (Italy).
CONNECT WITH US TODAY
Be the first to know the latest news and updates
