• About Raidar
Friday, December 6, 2019
Raidar Gist
  • Home
  • World
  • Local News
  • Politics
    • Africa
    • America
    • Asia
    • Europe
    • Nigeria
  • Business
  • Entertainment
  • Gossip
  • Sport
No Result
View All Result
Raidar Gist
Home Sport
Jose Mourinho’s bus backfires as Manchester United shut up shop – then lose it late against Basel – David McDonnell

Jose Mourinho’s bus backfires as Manchester United shut up shop – then lose it late against Basel – David McDonnell

by lordkris
November 22, 2017
in Sport
0
0
SHARES
0
VIEWS
Share on FacebookShare on Twitter


They surrendered their winning run in the Champions League, but Manchester United are still all but through to the knockout stage.

A game Jose Mourinho claimed United should have been winning “5-0 or 6-0” by half-time ended with them losing to a smash and grab 89th-minute winner.

United were guilty of failing to take the numerous chances that came their way and paid the price with the late sucker punch that brought to an end their 100 per cent record in Europe this term.

Not even the late introduction of iconic striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic , making his second appearance after a seven-month injury lay-off, could inspire United to the victory they craved.

Despite this galling loss, United’s place in the last 16 is virtually secure, with only defeat at home to CSKA Moscow by a huge margin on December 5 denying them progress.

Manchester United’s players look dejected
(Image: Action Images via Reuters)

Jose Mourinho and Marcos Rojo look dejected
(Image: REUTERS)

Basel’s players celebrate
(Image: AFP)

A point at Old Trafford will confirm United as Group A winners, although that feat may not be enough to see them avoid the likes of holders Real Madrid, Bayern Munich or Juventus.

Those European heavyweights potentially lie in wait for United if Mourinho’s side top their group, confirming that finishing first is no guarantee of an easier task in the last 16.

Mourinho, who made seven changes from the side that swept aside Newcastle 4-1 last Saturday, saw this game as an opportunity to give players some much-needed respite, ahead of a gruelling period that sees them play 13 games in 40 days.

First-choice keeper David De Gea travelled with the squad to Basel but was rested, watching from the stands at the St Jakob Stadium, with Sergio Romero in goal and Joel Pereira on the bench.

Michael Lang scores for Basel
(Image: REUTERS)

Michael Lang celebrates
(Image: AFP)
Read More

Marcos Rojo, who like Ibrahimovic suffered a cruciate ligament injury in the same game back in April, made his first appearance for seven months and played the full 90 minutes.

United conjured the first chance in the 12th minute, Paul Pogba threading a sublime reverse pass through to Romelu Lukaku, who saw his shot blocked by goalkeeper Tomas Vaclik.

Daley Blind seized on the loose ball, crossing for Marouane Fellaini, whose angled header looked like it was going in, until Manuel Akanji cleared it off the line to let the hosts off the hook again.

Fellaini came close to opening the scoring again four minutes later, getting on the end of a free-kick from Blind, only to direct his header wide of the target.

Marouane Fellaini of Manchester United has a header on goal
(Image: Getty)
Read More

It was to be a recurring theme for United, who were in control but unable to turn that dominance into the hard currency of a goal.

Pogba wasted a free-kick from 20 yards out after he had been upended, United’s club record £89million signing floating the subsequent set-piece over the bar.

United ended the first-half with a flurry of chances, Anthony Martial crossing for Fellaini, who made it a hat-trick of missed headers when his glancing effort clipped a post.

Martial then scampered through on goal, leaving his pursuers in his wake, but was unable to beat Vaclik, who blocked his angled effort, before Rojo thudded a long-range effort against the bar.

Manchester United’s Anthony Martial is denied
(Image: Action Images via Reuters)

Manchester United’s Paul Pogba
(Image: Action Images via Reuters)

United began the second-half as they ended the first – on the front foot, Lukaku failing to find the target after Martial’s enticing cross left him with a free header.

Basel were restricted to half-chances, Serey Die flashing a shot just wide of Romero’s left-hand post five minutes after the restart, latching on to Fellaini’s headed clearance.

Renato Steffen then went close for the home side, cutting in from the right and steering a shot just wide of Romero’s far post.

Ibrahimovic prepares to come on
(Image: REUTERS)

Romelu Lukaku applauds fans after the match
(Image: Action Images via Reuters)

United continued to live dangerously, allowing Michael Lang to clip the bar with a close-range header, as Mourinho’s side seemed not to know whether to go for the win or take the draw.

That uncertainty ultimately cost them as Blind was beaten to the ball at the far post by Lang, who steered it over the line to send the home fans into delirium and make United wait.

poll loading

Will Manchester United win this Champions League?

10000+ VOTES SO FAR


Related posts

Jurgen Klopp's fantastic, relentless Liverpool team have proven their greatness - Robbie Savage

Jurgen Klopp’s fantastic, relentless Liverpool team have proven their greatness – Robbie Savage

Dillian Whyte cleared by UKAD following failed drug test

Dillian Whyte cleared by UKAD following failed drug test



Source link

Comments

0 comments

Please login to join discussion
Sowore, Falana: Pressure mounts against DSS

DSS planned to kill me, said I won’t walk out of detention alive – Sowore [VIDEO]

by Sam Inans

Omoyele Sowore, convener of RevolitionNow Movement, on Friday disclosed that operatives of the Department of State Services, DSS, vowed that...

‘The Irishman’ Drew 13.2 Million Netflix Viewers Over Thanksgiving

‘The Irishman’ Drew 13.2 Million Netflix Viewers Over Thanksgiving

by lordkris

The mob saga starring Robert De Niro and Al Pacino outpaced “El Camino” but didn’t quite live up to the...

How Destinee Walker can help save Notre Dame’s season

by lordkris

10:25 AM ETGraham HaysespnW.com CloseGraham Hays covers college sports for espnW, including softball and soccer. Hays began with ESPN...

Nairobi Governor, Mike  Arrested Over Alleged Corruption

Nairobi Governor, Mike Arrested Over Alleged Corruption

by Sam Inans

The Kenyan authorities has arrested the governor of Nairobi county, Mike Sonko, on suspicion of involvement in a multi-million dollar...

Sowore, Falana: Pressure mounts against DSS
Entertainment

DSS planned to kill me, said I won’t walk out of detention alive – Sowore [VIDEO]

by Sam Inans

Omoyele Sowore, convener of RevolitionNow Movement, on Friday disclosed that operatives of...

Read more
Jurgen Klopp's fantastic, relentless Liverpool team have proven their greatness - Robbie Savage

Jurgen Klopp’s fantastic, relentless Liverpool team have proven their greatness – Robbie Savage

Dillian Whyte cleared by UKAD following failed drug test

Dillian Whyte cleared by UKAD following failed drug test

Nairobi Governor, Mike  Arrested Over Alleged Corruption

Nairobi Governor, Mike Arrested Over Alleged Corruption

Man City have not received an approach for Mikel Arteta, says Pep Guardiola

Man City have not received an approach for Mikel Arteta, says Pep Guardiola

© 2019 PME

No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • World
  • Local News
  • Politics
    • Africa
    • America
    • Asia
    • Europe
    • Nigeria
  • Business
  • Entertainment
  • Gossip
  • Sport

© 2019 PME