Manchester United VS Basel
Tuesday (12/09/2017)
19:45 (WAT)
Manchester United FC make their return to the UEFA Champions League against FC Basel 1893, who have caused them problems in the pastTuesday (12/09/2017)
19:45 (WAT)
The teams first met in the 2002/03 second group stage, United winning the first game in Switzerland 3-1 with Ruud van Nistelrooy scoring twice. Ole Gunnar Solskjær got United's clinching third goal after Christian Giménez had given Basel a first-minute lead.
• Giménez was also on target in Manchester on 12 March 2003, his 14th-minute strike helping Basel to a 1-1 draw with Gary Neville claiming United's equaliser.
• Basel earned another, crucial point at Old Trafford in the 2011/12 group stage. Two goals from Danny Welbeck (16, 17) put United in charge only for Fabian Frei (58) and an Alexander Frei double (61, 76pen) to leave Basel on the verge of a famous win; however Ashley Young salvaged a draw for United in the 90th minute.
Jose Mourinho has reiterated Victor Lindelof will start for Manchester United in their Champions League opener against Basel, reports the Manchester Evening News.
Lindelof travelled with the United squad to Stoke but was the only outfield player omitted from the matchday squad for the 2-2 Premier League draw.
The 23-year-old defender was left out of United's squads for the home wins over West Ham and Leicester last month, while he remained on the bench for the away win at Swansea.
Lindelof's last appearance for United was over a month ago in the Super Cup defeat to Real Madrid but Mourinho confirmed he and Chris Smalling would replace suspended duo Eric Bailly and Phil Jones at Old Trafford on Tuesday.
"It is not the moment to speak, he knows the mistake," Mourinho said of Jones' poor performance at Stoke. "He doesn't need me to go in to speak with him about it, so no problem.
"Mistakes are part of the game, he's playing well for us, he's probably tired after two consequent matches with the national team but he cannot play Tuesday so it is good that he gets his rest and opportunity for Lindelof and Smalling to play a Champions League match."
Basel
• Basel have 11 points from seven Swiss Super League fixtures this term – ten fewer than they had at the same stage last season.
• The RotBlau suffered their third league defeat of 2017 on Saturday, going down 2-1 at home to FC Lausanne-Sport in a match both sides ended with ten men. Marek Suchý was red carded for the hosts.
• It was Basel's first home league defeat (and their first domestic loss to a team other than BSC Young Boys) since the final game of 2015/16.
• Summer signing Van Wolfswinkel has scored in each of his last six league appearances for Basel, seven goals in total.
| Posted: at | |
TRENDING GISTS 
Lady Calls Out JAMB After Mysterious Overnight Change in Brother’s UTME Result
Ex-AUN Provost, Professor Yusuf Attahir Baba Loses Three Children in Devastating Car Crash
Football Star, Lionel Messi-Marriage Rumours Stir Online Frenzy As Divorce Speculations Grow
El-Rufai & Peter Obi Meet at Cambridge Conference, Sparking Political Speculation Ahead Of 2027 Elections
"How My Mother’s Lover Rap3d Me" — 12 Year Old Victim Narrates Ordeal