Thomas Hein
Manchester United’s unbeaten run in the Champions League came to a stuttering halt as the Red Devils were beaten by Basel, thanks to an 89th-minute goal by Michael Lang.
We were the much better team throughout the game but our wastefulness in the first half, followed by a laboured and slow performance in the second half was rightfully punished by the Swiss side.
The loss would turn out to be disastrous for United should they lose their final game at home against CSKA Moscow but the Russian side would have to beat us by at least 4 clear goals and Basel too would have to win against Benfica.
United did ring in the changes to the side that beat Newcastle at the weekend as Sergio Romero and Marcos Rojo started for the English side. It was not that United didn’t have their best players, as Paul Pogba and Romelu Lukaku both started. But they just could not fire United into the lead.
No matter how hard United tried, they weren’t clicking and that spurred on the home side as Lang had a header come off the post. The rebound though, unfortunately, did not find the back of the net. Lang did not make a mistake in the 89th minute as the Basel man scored from a header via a cross from Raoul Petretta.
Even bringing on Zlatan was not enough to save United’s blushes and hopefully, there will not be a calamity at Old Trafford in a couple of weeks as we look to finish the group as toppers.
United fans certainly were unhappy with the result and here are some of the reactions from Twitter where some took a shot at Marouane Fellaini and Lukaku while others blamed the attitude of the side for the loss.
Mourinho hate is ridiculous. He can’t score the goals for Lukaku and Fellaini! Both missed sitters tonight. Score them and we’re all ecstatic with another win.#MUFC pic.twitter.com/wjf1lRWOfJ
— The United Stand (@UnitedStandMUFC) November 23, 2017
Take Pogba and Martial out of our side and we look slow and out of ideas. United has always thrived on flair. Take it away and it’s like taking away oxygen. We slowly die.#MUFC
— Mark Goldbridge (@markgoldbridge) November 22, 2017
One massive positive from the game is that Rojo was fucking class.
Can’t wait till him and bailly are starting games together again!#mufc
— AxAs (@AxAs23) November 22, 2017
Despite Man Utd being in a simple champions league group, they still fail to show total dominance in their group.#MUFC need to do better in #UCL pic.twitter.com/7NrRDcrT7B
— I do the do (@hotmindset) November 22, 2017
We got punished for taking that game too easy!
Not worried at all.#MUFC— Billy Meredith (@BigPert_MUFC) November 22, 2017
“We lost the game because we didn’t score the 5 goals we should have scored in the first half” Mourinho
Spot on!#MUFC
— The United Stand (@UnitedStandMUFC) November 22, 2017
Mourinho’s tactics are not too dissimilar to David Moyes’. Long balls to the big CF crosses into the box. And people think he is the man to lead us to the glory days. Fuck off. Just fuck off #MourinhoOut #BASMUN #MUFC
— #JusticeForLukaku (@ManUtdEffect) November 22, 2017
If Fellaini is stalling on a new contract because he wants more money let him go!!! He’s in the team for his height but he can’t hit the ocean from a boat with his head. Should have had three tonight#MUFC
— Mark Goldbridge (@markgoldbridge) November 22, 2017
Let’s put tonight into perspective
We’ll still quality and top the group but we can learn from it and it’s extra fitness for Pogba, Ibrahimovic and Rojo#Mufc #Believe pic.twitter.com/8J4VS0DrfM
— Totally Man Utd™ (@TotallyMUFC) November 22, 2017
We lost a dead rubber away from home. We’re already through and he rested a load of players. None of our lot could be arsed but Basel had to play for it. Happened plenty of times before. No drama. #MUFC
— ZippyPenguin (@Zippy_Penguin) November 22, 2017
Players #MUFC must sell:
Darmian, Blind, Herrera, Smalling.
Squad Players that may survive:
Lingard, Shaw, Ashley Young.
— Övie (@OvieO) November 22, 2017
I’ll be honest, I’m not even that mad… Game was such a bore. #MUFC
— MUFC Fans (@mufcfans) November 22, 2017
Deserve to lose when you take off pogba for matic
And take martial off over lukaku when martial was 100x better
Was clear he was happy with a draw #mufc
— AxAs (@AxAs23) November 22, 2017
#mufc Lacked invention tonight. Lukaku again lacking quality service. Thought Rojo looked good after such a long lay off, some crucial tackles and decent distribution.
— Andrew Kilduff (@TuftyMUFC) November 22, 2017
