Basel vs Manchester United - as it happened: Jose Mourinho's side suffer shock late defeat
Look back at how it happened, minute-by-minute
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Your support makes all the difference.Manchester United arrive in Switzerland knowing that a point against Basel will ensure they qualify for the last 16 of the Champions League.
It would also mean they are sure to win Group A, so Jose Mourinho will be keen to get a result and smooth their passage in the new year.
Basel are second in the group and will be determined to secure their place in the next round – and they history of beating United in European competition.
Follow all the live action below.
Match preview
In the build up to the game, Mourinho has played down talk of a rift with Henrikh Mkhitaryan.
“The story is always the same. In some positions, when you don't have injuries, you have lots of options in other positions,” Mourinho said.
“In this moment, we have Pogba, Marouane Fellaini, Ander Herrera, Nemanja Matic and Scott McTominay.
“So I can imagine, next week, you are going to ask – why is this player not playing?
“Micki is not playing because we had lots of options for that match. I decided to play Marcus Rashford and Martial together.
“For many weeks, the question was – why do they not play together? Now, the question is why is Micki not playing.
“The answer is very simple – until the international board change the rules, I can only start with 11!”
What times does it start?
Basel vs Manchester United kicks off at 19:45 GMT.
Where can I watch it?
The game is live on BT Sport 2.
It’s a big game for…
Victor Lindelof. The centre back was on his backside when Newcastle scored on the weekend and has yet to establish himself but can make a statement by helping United secure their place in the next round.
Form guide…
Basel: WWDLDW
Manchester United: LWWWLW
Odds...
Basel win 10/3
Draw 12/5
Manchester United win 10/11
Join Liam Corless from around 7pm for build-up and live coverage of Basel vs Manchester United in the Champions League.
Just half an hour to go until kick-off in Switzerland. Can Jose Mourinho's men get the point they need to guarantee progression to the knock-out phase and top spot in Group A?
Rio Ferdinand backs United to seal top spot tonight
"They've dominated this group so far. They've been very efficient.
"However, Basel is a hard place to go. They've got a good record against English teams over the years but I see Jose Mourinho's team being far too experienced to fall at this stage."
Quotes from BT Sport
Basel vs Manchester United - last five meetings
- Manchester United 3-0 Basel, September 2017 (Champions League)
- Basel 2-1 Manchester United, December 2011 (Champions League)
- Manchester United 3-3 Basel, September 2011 (Champions League)
- Manchester United 1-1 Basel, March 2003 (Champions League)
- Basel 1-3 Manchester United, November 2002 (Champions League)
Pre-match quotes from Jose Mourinho
On making numerous changes to his team for tonight's match: "My confidence is in the players. I trust them, many of them deserve to play and they deserve to play in big matches not just in the matches that people consider the easier ones, sometimes the easier domestic cup matches. Sergio Romero, last season, was amazing for us in the Europa League, this season he's never played. He deserves it."
On the threat posed by Basel at their home ground: "I had problems here with Chelsea. Basel are getting a certain tradition in European football to get some amazing results like they did a few weeks ago against Benfica when they beat them 5-0. We know it is going to be difficult but there are lots of matches to play. We play Brighton in the Premier League at 3pm. I need to give some players a rest, I need to give some players a chance."
Quotes from BT Sport
From the archives (YouTube) comes this gem of a goal from Ruud van Nistelrooy in a 3-1 win for United away to Basel 15 years ago:
Just over five minutes to go until kick-off in Switzerland, where this man will skipper the visiting side after a supreme performance on his comeback from injury at the weekend:
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