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| Champion's League Returns To Old Trafford On Tuesday Night. |
Manchester United kicked off a busy schedule of September with a 2-2 draw against Stoke City, with Marcus Rashford and Romelu Lukaku scoring the goals for United. United are about to kick off a string of consecutive games this month, with the manager Jose Mourinho stating that it will be a very good month for the squad as he will be looking to utilize his whole squad, ensuring all players get valuable minutes on the pitch. Following the result at Stoke, United are now looking forward towards kicking off their Champion’s League campaign against Swiss champions, FC Basel on Tuesday night at Old Trafford. United, the three-time winners of this esteemed competition make a return to the European top-flight competition after two years. Having finished in 6th position last year, United qualified for the Champion’s League group stage by winning the 2017 Europa League over Dutch giants Ajax. The whole squad is excited for the upcoming fixture and are determined to give a tough fight against Europe’s elite clubs.
Let’s have a quick FAQ on United’s recent Champion’s League record and get to know their opponents with a quick match preview to sum it up.
When did United last win the Champions League?
United last won the competition back in 2008 over rivals
Chelsea at the Luzhniki Staduim, in Moscow during Sir Alex Ferguson’s reign.
United won the match 1-1, 6-5 on penalties with Cristiano Ronaldo scoring for
United in the first half before Frank Lampard scored the equalizer for Chelsea
right on the half time whistle. United secured their third Champions League
title after Nicolas Anelka’s penalty was saved by Edwin Van der Sar during the
penalty shootout right after John Terry slipped during his run up which could
have won Chelsea the title. Van der Sar went on to win the Man of The Match
award.
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| United Last Won The Champion's League In 2008 Defeating Chelsea On Penalties. |
How many times have United won the Champion’s League?
United have won the Champion’s League three times. The first
time was in 1968 against Benfica in the European Cup at the Wembley Stadium in
London. United won the match 4-1, a team comprising of legends like George Best
and Sir Bobby Charlton. Sir Matt Busby was the manager during that time. United
won the competition for the second time during the historic 1999 treble winning
season, under Sir Alex’s management, over Bayern Munich at the Nou Camp in
Barcelona. United won the match 2-1 after two goals right in extra time from
Teddy Sheringham and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s winning goal completed United’s
treble, bouncing back from a one goal deficit. United then won the Champion’s
League in 2008.
What happened the last time United were in the Champion’s
League.
United last featured in a Champion’s League match in 2015
against German side Wolfsburg. It was the last match in the group stage and
United had to win it to ensure qualification in the round of 16, but
unfortunately Wolfsburg defeated United 3-2 and demoted United to the Europa
League as United finished third in the group. However, Anthony Martial scored
in the game, but Naldo’s brace sunk United. The Red Devils were under the
management of Louis Van Gaal.
Who are in United’s Champion’s League group stage?
United are placed in Group A, alongside FC Basel, CSKA
Moscow and Benfica.
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| United Play Swiss Champions Basel On Tuesday. |
Who are FC Basel?
United play their first group stage match against FC Basel
at Old Trafford on Tuesday. Basel are a club in the Swiss Super League managed
by Raphael Wicky. Basel were founded in 1893 and are one of the most successful
clubs in Switzerland, having won the Swiss Super League 20 times and the Swiss
Cup 12 times. They are also the previous year’s champions. Basel’s best record
in the Champion’s League is reaching the quarter finals in 1974. Basel have
played with United before. Their best performance dates back to the 2011/12
Champion’s League group stage fixture against United at home which they won 2-1
and qualified for the knockout stages. Basel and United have played each other
a total of four times. The first encounter led to a United victory 3-1 in 2002,
second time, United were held by Basel at Old Trafford 1-1 in 2002, the third
meeting also resulted in a draw, 3-3 at Old Trafford in 2011 and the last match
between the two sides was also in 2011 in the reverse fixture in which Basel
beat United 2-1 at home and progressed towards the group stages.
Team news ahead of the fixture:
United have a big squad to choose from, however, Mourinho
will be looking to play a strong team to ensure a winning start in the group
stage. United are without defenders Phil Jones and Eric Bailly who are
suspended. The two are on fire in the Premier League this season. Jose has
stated that Chris Smalling and new signing Victor Lindelof will start the match
at center back. Michael Carrick is yet to feature for United this season and
Jesse Lingard is due his first start. Luke Shaw is back from injury, but
doesn’t have the required match fitness. However, he is featuring with the
under-23 team in order to regain his form, confidence and fitness. Ashley Young
is following the same procedure. Daley Blind, Juan Mata and Anthony Martial
were benched for the Stoke game, which could mean they are starting the
Champion’s League game. Given the suspension of Jones and Bailly, we could see young center back, Axel Tuanzebe making the bench.
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| Victor Lindelof Will Make His First Start, Competetive, Home and Champion's League Debut For United On Tuesday. |
Preferable Starting XI:
Formation: 4-2-3-1
De Gea, Valencia (C), Smalling, Lindelof, Blind, Matic,
Pogba, Mkhitarayan (CAM), Martial, Mata, Lukaku.
Other players who could make the Starting XI:
Jesse Lingard is still due his first start for United and could make it against Basel, but Mata is currently a better fit. Captain, Michael Carrick hasn't featured for United this season, but he will be on the bench and add experience to side given his age and winning the competition with the club in 2008. Mourinho could also give a surprise start to back up keeper Sergio Romero, as Basel are a much weaker side, but we can't underestimate them. It is most probable that De Gea will start, given his importance and the manager will want to ensure a positive start and field his best side. Romero will then be assured a start against Burton and commence their League Cup (Now Carabao Cup) title defense.
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