Basel strike late to shock United

United went into the game knowing that a win would be enough to ensure their place in the last 16 and the 'Red Devils' showed no lack of motivation in the opening 45.

Jose Mourinho’s side dominated the first half from start to finish and should have taken the lead after just 12 minutes. First, Romelu Lukaku was sent racing in behind after a fine ball from Paul Pogba. The Belgian did well to shrug off the attentions of his marker, but Tomas Vaclik in the home goal stood up well to keep the scores level.

The Czech was beaten just seconds later though as Daley Blind crossed from deep on the left and found birthday boy Marouane Fellaini at the far post. His header back across goal had the goalkeeper beaten, but fortunately for Basel Manuel Akanji was on hand to head the ball off the line.

Fellaini was a constant thorn in Basel’s side and should have done better four minutes later as he met Blind’s free kick from the right, but he caught his header too flush and it flew well wide.

United dominated the possession for long spells, without really creating anything of note.

Pogba and Oberlin exchanged errant free kicks before five minutes of madness before half-time that could have seen United score thrice.

First, Anthony Martial cut onto his right foot and crossed from the left and found Fellaini. The towering midfielder just about got a flick on the ball to help it on its way, only to see it crash against the post and go behind with Vaclik beaten.

Martial was at the centre of things once again two minutes later as he raced clear in the inside left channel. Unfortunately for United, the Frenchman ran wide and Vaclik was able to turn his effort behind for a corner.

As the first half ticked into its final minute, there was still time for United to threaten. From the ensuing corner, the ball broke to Marcos Rojo 35 yards out and he let fly, only to see his effort crash back off the bar via a Basel head.

Despite their domination, United went into the break level and the hosts grew into the game in the second half, looking the more likely to make something happen.

Mohamed Elyounoussi and Renato Steffen both forced Sergio Romero into saves, albeit routine ones as the home side grew in confidence and influence.

Steffen became the main source of Basel’s threat as the game went on, first seeing his effort flicked goalwards by Oberlin, before racing clear of Blind down the right and seeing a left-footed effort fly just wide of the far post.

The winger had a penalty shout turned down with 20 minutes left to play as he took a tumble under the challenge of Rojo.

United had Rojo to thank shortly afterwards as he made a sensational block to keep the scores level. Dimitri Oberlin was put in by Raoul Petretta down the left and he could see the whites of Romero’s eyes, only for the Argentine to come across and block his effort away to safety.

Substitute Marcus Rashford fired into the side netting shortly after being introduced as the game seemed to be heading for a draw.

However, those fears were put to bed in the final minute of normal time as Basel punished United for their profligate finishing in the first half.

Petretta found space to cross down the left and his low ball was perfect for Michael Lang to tap home at the far post to give Basel a shock victory and move them level on points with CSKA Moscow in second.