On September 12, 2017, Manchester United faced FC Basel in their opening match of the UEFA Champions League Group A at Old Trafford. Manchester United secured a comfortable 3-0 victory in their return to the Champions League after a one-year absence, thanks to goals from Marouane Fellaini, Romelu Lukaku, and Marcus Rashford.
Key Statistics and Analysis
- Scoreline and Goal Timings:
- Manchester United: 3 (Marouane Fellaini 35′, Romelu Lukaku 53′, Marcus Rashford 84′)
- FC Basel: 0
- Possession:
- Manchester United had 59% possession, while FC Basel had 41%. United’s control of possession allowed them to dictate the tempo and maintain pressure on Basel, especially in the second half.
- Shots:
- Manchester United registered 15 shots, with 8 on target, showcasing their attacking dominance and efficient use of opportunities. FC Basel managed 8 shots, with 2 on target, struggling to break through United’s organized defense.
- Passing Accuracy:
- Manchester United had a passing accuracy of 87%, completing 558 passes out of 642 attempts. FC Basel had a passing accuracy of 80%, completing 370 passes out of 464 attempts. United’s superior ball control and precision in passing allowed them to maintain pressure and create goal-scoring chances.
- Defensive Statistics:
- Manchester United made 10 tackles compared to FC Basel’s 18, reflecting Basel’s attempts to regain possession and stop United’s attacks. United’s defense, led by Victor Lindelöf and Chris Smalling, was resolute and kept Basel’s forward line in check, securing a clean sheet.
- Set Pieces:
- Manchester United’s first goal came in the 35th minute when Marouane Fellaini headed in from an Ashley Young cross after coming on as a substitute for the injured Paul Pogba. United doubled their lead in the 53rd minute through Romelu Lukaku, who powered home a header from a Daley Blind cross. Marcus Rashford added the third goal in the 84th minute, finishing with a composed strike after a cross from Fellaini, marking his Champions League debut with a goal.
- Individual Performances:
- Marouane Fellaini was one of the standout performers for Manchester United, scoring the opening goal and providing an assist for Rashford’s strike. Romelu Lukaku continued his excellent form, scoring with a clinical header to give United breathing room. Marcus Rashford, playing in his first Champions League game, was a constant threat and capped off his performance with a well-taken goal. For FC Basel, goalkeeper Tomáš Vaclík made several important saves but was ultimately overwhelmed by United’s attacking pressure.
- Tactical Overview:
- Manchester United, managed by José Mourinho, deployed a 4-2-3-1 formation, focusing on control in midfield and utilizing width through their full-backs. United’s tactical discipline, combined with their strength in the air, was evident as they scored two of their three goals from headers. FC Basel, under Raphael Wicky, used a 3-4-3 formation but struggled to create clear chances and were outclassed by United’s pace and physicality.
- Disciplinary:
- The match saw two yellow cards, one for each team. Manchester United’s Nemanja Matić was booked in the 72nd minute, while FC Basel’s Taulant Xhaka received a yellow card in the 79th minute. Both fouls were tactical in nature, aimed at breaking up play.
- Corners and Offsides:
- Manchester United won 8 corners compared to FC Basel’s 2, reflecting their sustained pressure in the attacking third. United were caught offside twice, while Basel were caught offside once, highlighting their attempts to push forward and find gaps in the opposition’s defense.
Summary
Manchester United’s 3-0 victory over FC Basel marked a successful return to the UEFA Champions League for the club, with José Mourinho’s side delivering a controlled and professional performance. Goals from Marouane Fellaini, Romelu Lukaku, and Marcus Rashford ensured a comfortable win, while United’s defense remained solid throughout, keeping FC Basel at bay.
United’s dominance in possession and their ability to capitalize on set-piece opportunities were key factors in their victory. Fellaini’s impact off the bench, Lukaku’s continued scoring form, and Rashford’s goal on his Champions League debut highlighted the team’s attacking depth.
For FC Basel, the match was a difficult challenge, as they struggled to deal with United’s physicality and direct play. Despite some decent moments in possession, Basel were unable to break down United’s defense and create significant goal-scoring chances.
The win gave Manchester United a strong start to their Champions League campaign and set the tone for the group stage, while Basel were left to regroup and focus on their remaining fixtures.
