Manchester United celebrated their return to the UEFA Champions League with a resounding 3-0 win over Swiss champions FC Basel, at the Old Trafford, on Tuesday night.
After some relentless pressure and a number of missed chances, United finally opened the scoring with substitute Marouane Fellaini thumping in a header from Ashley Young’s cross in the 35th minute. Romelu Lukaku doubled the home side’s advantage heading in Daley Blind’s cross early in the second half. Substitute Marcus Rashford made it 3-0 late in the game.
Here’s how Jose Mourinho’s stars fared on the night;
Manchester United Player Ratings
David De Gea – 6/10
Called upon a couple of times in the second period, but alert to the task with one particular save standing out.
Ashley Young – 8/10
Great outlet down the right-hand side. Pinpoint cross for Fellaini’s opener, booked soon after. Had a left-footed drive saved in the second-half. Great return to action.
Victor Lindelof – 7/10
Composed, apart from one poor clearance in the first-half. Not really tested defensively though. Solid distribution.
Chris Smalling – 6/10
Again, had little to do in the defensive side of the game, but still looks unconvincing.
Daley Blind – 7/10
Returned to the line-up. Fairly decent at the back. Brilliant cross to set Lukaku up for the second goal. Booked.
Nemanja Matic – 7/10
Alert to threat, always available to receive a ball. Seems to do almost everything right in the middle of the park.
Paul Pogba – NA
Captain on the day, taken off within twenty minutes after he seemed to have pulled his hamstring.
Juan Mata – 7/10
Sharp movement and good link-up play early on. Drifted out of the game at times, but was a lively presence.
Henrikh Mkhitaryan – 7/10
Headed over from close in the 14th minute. Hit the base of the post soon after from six yards out. Much more threatening compared to the weekend, but finishing was disappointing.
Anthony Martial – 6.5/10
Missed a great early chance with the goal gaping, and sliced another effort in the second period. Sharp at times, but couldn’t make a telling impact. Subbed off with 20 minutes left.
Romelu Lukaku – 8.5/10
Had an early effort blocked. Bright from the get go, running the channels well, holding up the ball, pressurizing the defence. Opened his Champions League account with a nice header in the second period. Had another header saved soon after. An all-round display from the Belgian.
Substitutes
Marouane Fellaini – 8/10
Replaced the injured Pogba in the 19th minute. Broke the deadlock with his customary headed goal. Assisted the third with a cutback.
Jesse Lingard – 6/10
Came on for Martial in the second period. Lively.
Marcus Rashford – 7/10
On for Mata with less than 15 minutes left. Scored the third goal.