BASEL, Switzerland (Reuters) – Basel stunned Manchester United 2-1 to send last season’s runners-up out of the Champions League at the group stage on Wednesday.
Striker Marco Streller struck in the ninth minute after poor goalkeeping from David De Gea and Alexander Frei scored late in the game as the Swiss champions took the second qualifying place in Group C.
The English pulled back a consolation goal through Phil Jones one minute from time.
United striker Wayne Rooney continued his unhappy run with several misses in a generally lacklustre performance by the Premier League side, who were left to contemplate the unglamorous Europa League.
Manchester United's Young tries to score against FC Basel's Steinhoefer and goalkeeper Sommer during their Champions League Group C soccer match in Basel
It was only the third time in 17 Champions League participations that United had failed to get past the group stage.
Needing only a draw, United were quickly in trouble when De Gea flapped at Shapiro’s powerful low cross from the left and it fell perfectly for Streller, who scored from close range despite gas-fitting his shot.
United created more chances as the half wore on and Nan’s dangerous cross from the right had the Basel defence in trouble but neither Rooney nor Ji-sung Park could make contact.
Ryan Gigs wrong-footed the defence with a neat pass to Rooney whose shot on the turn was well-saved by Somber, then Nan’s shot was blocked by a defender as the ball fell loose to the Portuguese winger.
Basel striker Shari tested De Gea with a powerful drive in stoppage time as the hosts continued to threaten in attack.
Rooney missed United’ s best opening straight after the re-start when Gigs sent him bursting clear of the defence but he shot wide of the far post.
Nani tested Somber with another drive but United came even closer when Markus Steinhoefer’s attempted clearance hit the underside of his own crossbar.
Rooney’s unhappy evening continued when he headed over from close range from Chris Sampling’s powerful cross, though he was close with a curling shot in the 76th minute.
Frei, Switzerland’s record scorer, settled the tie in the 84th minute and Jones’s scrambled late effort was only a consolation for United.
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MU has always been lucky. Finally they have luck no more..
Manure fans, enjoy the Mickey Mouse cup. HAHAHAHAHA
This is good news.
Haters gonna hate .. we have been in three out of the last four finals so all u other fans pipe down we have been there and done tht already…so concentrate on supporting ur own teams please
Dont look too much to the past. Learn to look foward. We plan to succeed by going forward. You can win 100 times 100 years ago all for the record. Good managers plan ahead and dont give excuse.
Well said..
Bye and Sorry Manchester’s fan in UK. Bye UNITED AND CITY.
Great cannoy be great always.Luck cannot be always wit MU.Real fighter wins.
Well done Basel, you guys are just so awesome last night. M.U will be without any trophy this season….lol
they still have carling cup this year….lol
No big deal, MU been there many times, look at your own club history before you start yapping on MU.
do we care bout ur MANKayu’s history? Haha…We plan to succeed by going 4wad.
OMG!!..this’s good news …
Man utd want to introduce their fans to Euro Cup… hahahahahah…
I don’t get why you gotta talk about all the history, and the times you were in the finals. Well, accept it; Man Utd lost to freakin Basel. Humiliation will be there, admit your defeat like real men.
For all non-MU fans (those whom are enjoying themselves by criticising MU), pls take note that myself as a MU fan admit the defeat. No doubts. Being a fan is to continually support your own team and not criticising other teams. Celebrating when YOUR team wins and being sad when YOUR team losses is normal. BUT REMEMBER, do not criticise or make fun of other team. Keep in mind of Newton’s third law. For those who do not who, this is it “For every action (force) in nature there is an equal and opposite reaction”. Learn how to appreciate good and clean soccer instead of behaving like KIDS.
Am I MU fan…yes. Behave normal…yes. If the non-MU fans wants to criticise, let them be…it’s normal. We’ll have more chances to boo back…it’s part of the game.
mu had lost..i agree…lost UEFA football..i agree too..but what about man city?they spent an approx of 1 billion on their whole new team and look..they are out as well..chelsea fans around here?pls rmbr u guys cant really win the cup at all..even thou u guys were lucky..ur fate stops wen u are at the finals…rmbr ur heroic terry slip?im sure u do cz evry1 will…that was a pure heroic action from terry so save MU..mayb Terry shud jz chg his team =)..To arsenal fans. Hopefully you all can reach the finals and really win the cup..seriously, you guys rock..only with van persie =)
unhappy..trouble for De gea…. donat Boy..hahahah
That was a DARK night for all Manchester fans ! We lost but we’ll always walk with them
no matter what !!!!! They’re still one of the Best teams in the world !!!!!
Shapiro? Nan? Gigs? Shari? Chris Sampling? sorry, who are those? I don’t know those players.
Shaqiri, Nani, Giggs, Chris Smalling, Markus Steinhoffer!
Jesus Christ! what were you smoking?
man utd’s exit from europe’s premier football competition will probably go down nicely with the english FA, because players like rooney, ashley young, phil jones, & chris smalling will now be involved in less matches ahead of Euro 2012..
Fabio capello will probably bring a bottle of expensive wine for fergie on his next visit to Old Trafford…