Manchester United vs FC Basel: Player Ratings

FC Basel produced one of the most stunning comebacks seen at Old Trafford in recent years when they came back from two goals down at half time to lead 3-2 in the second half. They were only denied a shock victory in the dying minutes by a Ashley Young header who made sure United escaped with a 3-3 draw. This is how the players fared individually on the evening.

MANCHESTER UNITED:David De Gea (7): Another accomplished performance between the posts for De Gea as he seems to be gaining in confidence with each game. Produced an excellent save to deny Basel’s Streller in the second half and his handling was solid throughout. Could do nothing about Basel’s goals.

Phil Jones (5.5): He was good going forward again but showed his inexperience in Europe as he, like Ferdinand, failed to deal with the front line of Basel. Alexander Frei ran the United center backs ragged and Jones was out of position for Alexander Frei’s first goal.

Rio Ferdinand (5): Had a shocker. After a shaky performance against Stoke, Ferdinand struggled with Basel’s movement. He and Jones failed to communicate and Basel cut through them with ease.

Patrice Evra (6): He looked solid going forward but was caught out of position on a number of occasions and the gap between him and Jones was brutally exposed by Basel time and time again.

Fabio (6): Like Evra, he was full of energy going forward but lacked defensive discipline. Hobbled off with an injury in the second half was replaced by Nani.

Michael Carrick (5): In a two-man midfield, Carrick will always struggle as his movement is not the best and he was found out by Basel. He was static and Basel ran circles around him in the center of midfield.

Anderson (6): He never really got going in the game as he was casual with his passes. Didn’t get much help from Carrick, but Anderson wasn’t really up to scratch tonight.

Antonio Valencia (6.5): After finally getting his favoured position of right-wing, Valencia looked sharp in the first half. Missed a couple of good chances but looked lively. Had to move to right-back after Fabio was injured and gave away the penalty after a needless challenge.

Ashley Young (7.5): After a subdued performance at Stoke, Young looked back to his best tonight. His delivery into the box was good, and he headed the late goal to spare United’s blushes.

Ryan Giggs (7.5): The veteran produced another vintage performance in the first half as he set up both of Welbeck’s goals, the second a stunning ball right through the heart of Basel’s defense. Was replaced by Park on the hour mark.

Danny Welbeck (8): Picked ahead of Owen and Berbatov, Welbeck justified his manager’s faith in him by scoring twice in the opening seventeen minutes. His movement caused Basel a few problems and he might have had his hat-trick had he connected with Valencia’s cross in the second half.

Subs:Park Ji-Sung (6): “Three-lung” Park, as he’s fondly called, showed a lot of energy after he came on for Giggs but couldn’t alter the scoreline.

Nani (7): Replaced Fabio and delivered a stunning cross for Young to equalise right at the death.

Dimitar Berbatov (6): Came on with ten minutes remaining and had a good chance in the dying moments but only managed to hit the side-netting.

FC BASEL:Yann Somer (6.5): Could do nothing about United’s goals. He did produce a good save in the first half from Valencia when his team were 2-0 down and it proved to be vital.

Aleksandar Dragovic (6): At fault for both of Welbeck’s goals as he caught woefully out of position and nowhere near the United striker.

David Angel Abraham (7): He had a much improved second half after looking rather nervous in the first. He shed the nerves off and led the Basel fightback by keeping his defensive unit tight at the back.

Joo-Ho Park (7): He was solid as a rock and he gave a really good account of himself. The only flaw in his game was that he looked beatable against the pace of United.

Markus Steinhöfer (6): Like Joo-Ho Park, Steinhöfer was defensively solid on the other side of the pitch against Ashley Young. But he let Young slip out his grasp for United’s equaliser as he was caught ball watching.

Granit Xhaka (7): Most of Basel’s attacks were started by him. Looked skillful on the ball and kept possession well. Always calm and composed, he kept the play ticking for the visitor’s.

Cabral (7.5): Superb performance from the defensive midfielder as he repeatedly shut the door in United’s face when they came looking for spaces through the middle.

Jacques Zoua (6.5): His delivery from set-pieces was top-notch and caused United a few problems. Looked energetic.

Fabian Frei (8.5): He spurned a couple of good chances in the first half but how he made up for those in the second. Took his goal very well with a half-volleyed finish and dominated the midfield. Ran rings around Anderson and Carrick.

Alexander Frei (8): Two goals for the Swiss striker as he enjoyed coming up against Ferdinand and Jones. The United duo just could not handle his movement and he rounded a fine evening by slotting home a pressure-cooker penalty.

Marco Streller (8): His movement caused United a lot of problems throughout the game. He picked United’s defense apart at will and his link-up play with both the Frei players was superb. Should have scored when he was one on one with De Gea, but the United keeper produced a smart save.

Subs:Taulant Xhaka (N/A): Came on in the 89th minute for Alexander Frei as a time wasting ploy.

Scott Chipperfield (6): Replaced Fabian Frei and added steel into the midfield to shut out the hosts.

Kwang-Ryong Pak (6): Came on with ten minutes left. Couldn’t get into the game at all.