Champions League - Stunned United crash out after defeat at Basel
Manchester United crashed out of the Champions League with a 2-1 defeat against Basel at Sankt Jakob-Park in Group C.
Marco Streller and Alexander Frei got the all-important goals for the Swiss side, who got the victory they needed to finish runners-up behind Benfica and reach the knock-out stages.
Phil Jones's late goal gave United a glimmer of hope, but there would be no dramatic comeback this time for Sir Alex Ferguson's team - who failed to reach the last 16 for the first time since the 2005-06 season.
United dominated in Switzerland, but failed to breach the Basel rearguard action until it was too late. As a result last year's finalists now find themselves in the Europa League.
United started brightly and had the first meaningful attempt on goal when Park Ji-Sung swivelled to shoot over on four minutes.
The visitors were dominating possession and setting the tempo, but they were rocked soon after when Basel took an unlikely lead.
The elusive Xherdan Shaqiri was the creator, sending over a teasing cross from the left that David De Gea could only toe into the path of Streller. The striker adjusted his body and volleyed first-time past the United goalkeeper to put the Swiss side ahead.
An injury to Chris Smalling in the build-up certainly did not help United. The defender was left prone on the turf after a collision with team-mate Nemanja Vidic, and Basel took full advantage.
Basel's goal came nine minutes in, and for the remainder of the half United continued their dominance. Nani and Ashley Young saw plenty of the ball on the flanks and the visitors poured all over their opponents.
On the half-hour mark United missed a glorious chance to level. Nani's cross from the right gave Wayne Rooney a tap-in from two yards, but the striker somehow miscued and Park failed to latch onto the rebound.
Five minutes later Rooney had another chance, and this time produced a sharp finish after being played in by Ryan Giggs. But his shot was straight at Yann Sommer in the Basel goal. Another opportunity went begging soon after, when Park Joo Ho slid in to deny Nani with a last-ditch block.
A frustrating 45 minutes ended with another blow for United, when Vidic was forced off with a knee injury.
Basel began the second period with far more purpose, and gradually began to enjoy some possession of their own. Meanwhile, United were reduced to mostly speculative efforts from distance.
On 54 minutes Basel gave United a scare when Alexander Frei's curling free-kick drew a diving save from De Gea.
Soon after United came within inches of a bizarre equaliser. Nani's cross was met by Marcus Steinhofer, who volleyed against the underside of his own bar and was left mightily relieved at his good fortune as the ball bounced clear.
As United poured forward in ever greater numbers, so the holes began to appear in their defence, and Basel took full advantage on 84 minutes. It was that man Shaqiri who once again played provider, picking out Frei at the back post for a simple header into an empty net.
The goal put the game beyond United, but Ferguson's team mustered a late flourish when Jones headed through a melee of players on 89 minutes to deliver a frantic conclusion.
But it was too little, too late for United, who will now join neighbours Manchester City in the draw for the next round of the Europa League.
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Carling cup knockout by non premier league team and Champions league knockout by Basel, SAF must retire
just heard the fa cup third round tie between man utd &man city has been moved to a thursday night on channel 5 so they can get used to it
ha ha ah a ha ha hahah ah ah ah ah ah aha
I think the entire club needs an overhaul, right down from the owners (out as soon as we can force them to go), the execs, coaches including Phelan. Cancel all player contracts and make them prove their worth before reinstating them or, in most cases sacking them.
The complacency shown by Ferguson over the past few years is staggering, he needs to grow up, stop the strops and petty vendettas and seriously consider whether he should continue. If continuing means another few seasons of the current squad and general approach to play then he should go quickly.
The only danger in that is that the clueless owners and executives who are running the club into the ground will pick a donkey to replace him.
Bottom line must be GLAZERS OUT!!
Fergie is a great coach but he seems to have dropped the ball this year... Yes Man U have had a few good games but a few injury niggles here and there and they are exposed all over the place... They have a good balance of youngsters and experience in the squad but Senior players like Nani, Evra and Rooney are just not steeping up or not performing often enough... Without Chicharito they seem like a team groping in the dark... Rooney missed a sitter against Basel and U JUST CANT do that at Champ League level... Not with Man U... This Man U team seems to be taking a couple of steps back... For a club as rich as Man U its PATHETIC... Mind u they do have talent but this humiliating exit has to be the Managers responsibility... TOTALLY.
Oh Paul,
Arsenal have never been relegated.
To Paul,
Arsenal HAVE never been relegated.
It must be hard being a Manure fan!
1.. cost of travel from london.
2....getting stuffed by your neighbors like a tart copping it in the donut!
3 being slung out of the Cl by some part time coockoo clock makers who dress up in Barca shirts!
4.. Being relegated to the also ran cup on a Thursday!..........priceless!!!!!
Still i suppose you have memories distant though they will become!!!
hahahahahahaha!!!!!!!!!!!
man u deserve ths big time
5 TIMES BABY...................
Not a single african player in the 1st 11 and yet the team is a worldwide brand.
Those scouts will surely destroy the team,the glazers will most likely abandon the team and leave it with a staggering debt.Once the team is in liquidation;everyone abandons the team!
Farewell man-united,Honestly how you can buy mediocre players and even snub genuine african talents,The great Scot must have a meeting with the club scouts immediately or be prepared for more future tear-jerking thumpings and heart-wrenching humiliations.
stop your jubilation over man u'e fall, it is going to be for a short time, the team is bouncing back lol
victorbaggyarse.
i've had my 'srn' for years, mate.
i left it a long time ago....much bigger fish to fry.
@726 Rogo well referenced lad glad to see you can still engine search lol. Just think when you finally get your SRN you will be well knowledgable to make people better but your duties will be cleaning up old people' s,hite lol.
Two wins against a small team and two draws at home one away.what do u expect from such a team.u expect them to be in europa league.ha ha
@ Andy. Liverpool are 3rd behind AC Milan and Real Madrid. Where is Manc United in Europe?
Pius Etukudoh, Lagos, Nigeria.
YNWA
cannot understand this competition, if you are knocked out then you should be out, if you are knocked out of the fa cup then you are out , they dont put you in another competition.
What is vavavoom- you're a funny guy, you never know what you will come out with, next you will be telling us Arsenal and Everton have never been relegated. You disappeared yesterday why was that? Are you some middle class wa'nker new fan or something?
New heights for Manc-hester... what other town has two sides in Europa League?
Come on the CHELS
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