Michael Lang scored in the 89th minute as Basel recorded a 1-0 win over Manchester United in Switzerland on Wednesday night.
United entered the match knowing that a point would be enough to secure top spot in Group A – booking their spot in the knockout stage of the Champions League in the process - but the Red Devils conceded late on to lose.
As a result, Jose Mourinho’s side will need something in their final group match against CSKA Moscow to ensure that they progress to the round of 16.
Below are four talking points from the clash at St. Jakob-Park.
United’s fringe players fail to impress
As expected, United boss Mourinho rung the changes for the clash in Switzerland. Matteo Darmian and Daley Blind were among those to come into the team, and both had rotten nights.
The two full-backs struggled when Basel started to turn the screw in the second period, and Lang was allowed to nip in at the far post to convert after Blind had failed to react. It is difficult to be too critical due to their lack of action this season, but the pair showed why they are not in Mourinho’s first XI.
Ander Herrera also had a poor night in the middle of the park, while Jesse Lingard was hooked in the second period after continually losing the ball in forward positions. United have a big squad full of quality, but a number of their fringe players failed to impress in the Group A defeat.
Basel’s destiny remains in their own hands
CSKA’s 2-0 win over Benfica in the group’s early match made things complicated for Basel, but Lang’s late goal means that the Swiss outfit have moved back into second position, and remain charge of their own destiny.
Raphael Wicky’s side could have been three down at the break after struggling in the first period, but were much improved in the second. Indeed, Renato Steffen came close to sending the hosts ahead on a couple of occasions.
It was Lang that won it for the hosts late on, and the goal was deserved following a strong performance in the second period. A win for the Swiss giants in their final group match away to Benfica would see them qualify regardless of CSKA’s result against United at Old Trafford.
Michael Lang nets a late winner for Basel, forcing José Mourinho's side to wait to qualify for the Champions League last 16.
Pogba is United’s captain in waiting
Michael Carrick was named United’s new captain following the departure of Wayne Rooney in the summer, but the 36-year-old has only played once this season through injury. In the midfielder’s absence, Antonio Valencia has worn the armband for the 20-time English champions.
There is no question that Valencia, who has developed into one of the finest right-backs in the Premier League, is a hugely respected member of the United squad. The 32-year-old only speaks broken English, however, and is not exactly the most vocal of players on the field or around the camp.
Against Basel, Paul Pogba was handed the United armband for just the second time this season. The first occurred in the reverse match at Old Trafford, and ended with the Frenchman picking up a hamstring problem that kept him on the sidelines until the clash with Newcastle United last weekend.
It was a much happier occasion in Switzerland though in terms of fitness, and with Carrick expected to leave Old Trafford next summer, Pogba simply has to be handed the honour. United struggled badly when the 24-year-old was replaced in the 66th minute.
Rojo’s return should not be overlooked
Not too much has been made of Marcos Rojo’s return to the United team, and that is not too much of a surprise when considering that Pogba and Zlatan Ibrahimovic have made their comebacks at the same time.
Rojo was on the bench for the Newcastle clash at the weekend, before being handed a starting role against Basel. The 27-year-old, who had been on the sidelines since damaging his knee in April, was extremely impressive for United last term – making 41 appearances in all competitions.
His return has come at the perfect time when considering that Phil Jones and Eric Bailly are currently on the sidelines, and Mourinho now has a genuine selection problem at centre-back due to the talent he has available.
The Argentina international rattled the crossbar with a long-range strike late in the first period, and had a very solid 90 minutes, with his outstanding moment coming late on when he made a brilliant block. Rojo was the arguably the pick of the United players on the night, although that was not too difficult.
