Match ends, Basel 1, Manchester United 0.
Manchester United boss Jose Mourinho says his side should have been five or six goals ahead by half-time of their Champions League defeat by Basel.
United dominated the first half of their penultimate group game, with Marouane Fellaini and Marcos Rojo hitting the woodwork.
But, on the brink of securing the point they needed to reach the knockout stage, the visitors were undone by Michael Lang's 89th-minute goal.
"The first half was the perfect half - without the goals. I cannot complain. I cannot blame the players," said Mourinho.
"I think if we play a match like this 10 times, nine we win comfortably. In one we lose - and the one was now."
Renato Steffen and Dimitri Oberlin had already gone close for the hosts in the second half before Lang turned in Raoul Petretta's cross at the back post.
Anything better than a seven-goal defeat by CSKA Moscow in their final group game on 5 December would still guarantee United their place in the last 16.
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Basel belatedly live up to pre-match hype
Basel emerged before kick-off to the backdrop of a huge banner promising the sort of atmosphere that has spooked the likes of Liverpool,Chelsea,Tottenham and United in recent years.
It appeared an empty gesture in a first half during which United enjoyed 74% possession and the hosts failed to have a shot on target.
But United could not translate that dominance to the scoresheet and were stretched out of shape from the start of the second half.
The Swiss side, seven points off the top of their domestic league, found space and little resistance in midfield, and the pace of Lang, Oberlin and Mohamed Elyounoussi helped them grow in danger.
The crowd increased in volume and the home side's chances increased in frequency, with Geoffroy Serey Die bringing a good save out of Sergio Romero, before Lang's decisive blow.
'Pogback' not yet fully complete
Nobody summed up United's performance more than Paul Pogba.
United's record signing made a seamless return to action after nine weeks out in the weekend's win over Newcastle, and initially revelled in the responsibility of the captaincy against Basel.
Pogba was United's fulcrum early on - coming deep to pick the ball up from defence, prompting their most incisive attacks and decorating his play with some extravagant pieces of skill.
A delicious no-look through ball laid on the game's first clear chance, only for Romelu Lukaku to blast straight at Tomas Vaclik when precision was needed.
The Frenchman curled a free-kick wide before the break, but faded badly from then on as Basel too often broke at a vulnerable defence.
A crisp long-ranger into the gloves of Vaclik in the 65th minute was his final contribution before manager Jose Mourinho attempted, unsuccessfully, to plug the gap with the introduction of Nemanja Matic.
Mourinho with reason to moan
With the Manchester derby five days after CSKA's visit to Old Trafford in the final group game, Mourinho could have done with a truly dead rubber against the Muscovites.
In reality, a team United beat 4-1 away from home are unlikely to deny the Premier League side their place in the last-16 draw.
Lax finishing and lapsed concentration will irritate Mourinho more on a night on which tournament favourites Paris St Germain delivered another ruthless statement of intent against Celtic.
Man of the match - Michael Lang
'They couldn't handle us' - manager quotes
Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho: "We played against a team that played with five defenders.
"We tried to play with three attacking players and that worked in the first half because they couldn't handle us.
"We didn't score in the second half probably because of the fact that we know one point is enough."
Zlatan's grand tour - the stats
- Zlatan Ibrahimovic became the first player to play for seven different clubs in the Champions League (Ajax, Juventus, Inter Milan, Barcelona, AC Milan, PSG, Manchester United).
- No English side has ever managed to keep a clean sheet at Basel in 14 meetings.
- United have conceded in each of their past three games in all competitions, after keeping six clean sheets in the seven matches before that.
- After mustering just one shot in the first half, Basel managed 12 after the break.
What's next?
United take on Brighton at home on Saturday (15:00 GMT) and will resume their Champions League campaign against CSKA Moscow on 5 December (19:45 GMT).
Line-ups
FC Basel
Formation 3-4-3
- 1Vaclik
- 36Akanji
- 17Suchy
- 23Balanta
- 5Lang
- 7Zuffi
- 20Serey DiéSubstituted forFranssonat 80'minutes
- 28Petretta
- 11Steffen
- 19Oberlin
- 24Elyounoussi
Substitutes
- 13Salvi
- 15Fransson
- 22Ajeti
- 25Riveros Galeano
- 27Manzambi
- 30Itten
- 33Bua
Man Utd
Formation 4-3-3
- 20Romero
- 36DarmianBooked at 83mins
- 12Smalling
- 5Rojo
- 17Blind
- 27Fellaini
- 21Herrera
- 6PogbaSubstituted forMaticat 66'minutes
- 14LingardSubstituted forRashfordat 64'minutes
- 9Lukaku
- 11MartialSubstituted forIbrahimovicat 74'minutes
Substitutes
- 2Lindelöf
- 10Ibrahimovic
- 19Rashford
- 23Shaw
- 31Matic
- 39McTominay
- 40Castro Pereira
- Referee:
- Daniele Orsato
- Attendance:
- 36,000
Match Stats
- Possession
- Home32%
- Away68%
- Shots
- Home13
- Away14
- Shots on Target
- Home6
- Away4
- Corners
- Home4
- Away6
- Fouls
- Home7
- Away13
Live Text
Post update
Full Time
Second Half ends, Basel 1, Manchester United 0.
Post update
Corner, Manchester United. Conceded by Raoul Petretta.
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Attempt missed. Zlatan Ibrahimovic (Manchester United) header from the centre of the box is just a bit too high. Assisted by Matteo Darmian with a cross.
Goal!
Goal! Basel 1, Manchester United 0. Michael Lang (Basel) right footed shot from the right side of the six yard box to the bottom right corner. Assisted by Raoul Petretta.
Post update
Foul by Marcos Rojo (Manchester United).
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Renato Steffen (Basel) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
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Attempt missed. Zlatan Ibrahimovic (Manchester United) right footed shot from outside the box is high and wide to the right. Assisted by Romelu Lukaku with a headed pass.
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Foul by Matteo Darmian (Manchester United).
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Mohamed Elyounoussi (Basel) wins a free kick on the left wing.
Booking
Matteo Darmian (Manchester United) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.
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Foul by Matteo Darmian (Manchester United).
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Raoul Petretta (Basel) wins a free kick on the left wing.
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Delay over. They are ready to continue.
Substitution
Substitution, Basel. Alexander Fransson replaces Geoffroy Serey Dié because of an injury.
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Delay in match Geoffroy Serey Dié (Basel) because of an injury.
Post update
Delay over. They are ready to continue.
Post update
Delay in match Geoffroy Serey Dié (Basel) because of an injury.
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Corner, Basel. Conceded by Sergio Romero.
Post update
Attempt saved. Geoffroy Serey Dié (Basel) right footed shot from outside the box is saved in the top right corner. Assisted by Raoul Petretta.
Comments
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Wimbledon 0
Player ratings
Romelu fashanu 4/10
Carlton Pogba 3/10
Zlatan houldsworth 4/10
Jose kinnear complained after the match that its simply not fair his team are only allowed to spend £400m each transfer window
Perfect match these days for your brand of football.
Shame they are playing CSKA Moscow then!
50 yrs I've been following Utd but this dross is beating me, and I really don't want to watch any more.
Funny that.
What a bunch of biased non entities, without balls, gumption or grace. Much like their favourite team.
Maureen's circus clowns continue to conquer the universe.
Spin doctors primed, we woz robbed. Blah blah.
Te he.
It’s not as easy as you might think !
Last night all the Manyoo fans were on the Liverpool HYS having a go because we drew from 3 - 0 up. Well folks, the laugh is certainly on you tonight.
Virtually full strength and, apparently, deservedly beaten by the mighty Basel. Mourinho could have taken all the buses in Manchester with him tonight but it probably would not have helped.
One very happy old Red.
Useless EPL sides wasting everyone's time and money.
You did notice the representatives of your league lost 7-1?
No mention of Spurs topping a group with Madrid in it either.
You scots, deary me.
That said, hahahahahahahahahaha.
All the stick United fans flooding this website last night cos we drew with a class team in Sevilla. And what do you do? Park the bus and lose to Basel!
Im a liverpool fan and people like you make my stomach turn. Disgraceful comment. That united side were magnificent and its tragic that young talented footballers had their careers cut short. Ill have banter with utd fans any day of the week but take your bile elsewhere.
Michael Lang
Massive goal for Basel!
It's a goal that's been coming and a goal the hosts absolutely deserve. Raoul Petretta plays a brilliant pass behind the defence and Michael Lang is there at the far post to tap home.
😂
A club that once played exciting football to one that now bores people to tears. Mr anti football and his stifling tactics is an entertainment killer.
Looks at the stats, 4 shots on target in 90minutes!!
Someone is telling porkies!!