- Basel knocked Manchester United out in 2011/12
- Basel without a win in eight European games
- De Gea to start in goal for United ahead of Romero
- Smalling and Lindelöf in for suspended Jones and Bailly
- Mourinho says United are back in their “natural habitat”
DON’T FORGET TO CHANGE YOUR FANTASY FOOTBALL TEAM
Possible line-ups
Manchester United: De Gea; Valencia, Lindelof, Smalling, Blind; Fellaini, Matić, Pogba; Mata, Lukaku, Rashford.
Out: Jones (suspended), Bailly (suspended), Rojo (knee), Ibrahimović (knee), Shaw (fitness), Young (fitness), Wilson (knee)
Basel: Vaclík; Lang, Suchý, Akanji, Riveros; Xhaka, Zuffi; Steffen, Elyounoussi, Bua; Van Wolfswinkel.
Out: Dié (foot)
Where to watch
Fans can find their local UEFA Champions League broadcast partner(s) here.
José Mourinho, Manchester United manager
To be back in the Champions League is to go back to the natural habitat. I think motivation is very important and of course motivation is very high. In the Champions League there are four or five teams with an incredible level of quality and experience and know-how and that is what makes the difference. Apart from that there are many teams that are very similar to teams in the Europa League. We have to try to go to the last 16 and enjoy that special knockout stage with the best teams in Europe.
Raphaël Wicky, Basel coach
Man United are strong in every area. They’ve added very good transfers to a team which was already strong. For us, they are top of the group but it is a very tough group with some really good teams. It’s my first job as a professional coach with a professional team so to be able to coach in the Champions League is an amazing thing. Not every coach can experience that.
Weekend results
Stoke 2-2 Manchester United
Basel 1-2 Lausanne
Form guide*
Man. United: DWWWL
Basel: LDDWWW
*All competitions, this season only. Most recent result first
Reporter’s view: Simon Hart (@UEFAcomSimonH)
Here’s an unwanted stat for United fans: their side have won only one match in the knockout rounds of this competition since reaching the final in 2011. If that explains why Mourinho was unwilling to bracket United among the leading pack of clubs, it will not diminish the hunger among manager and players alike to make a big impact on their return to the UEFA Champions League. They have started the Premier League season in impressive form, and have a new No9 who has hit the ground running. It is hard to see beyond a home win here.
Did you know?
This is United’s 21st appearance in the UEFA Champions League group stage, and only four times have they failed to make the next round. Read more in our extensive match background.
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