FC Basel lead Manchester United by a score of 1-0 at halftime, meaning that the Red Devils are on the verge of crashing out of the UEFA Champions League. If this result holds, they'll be heading down to the Europa League with a third place finish in the group. The goal was hardly against the run of play and it would be unfair to say it was anything but deserved. United's defending has been shaky and they've been slow going forward.
Marco Streller was the goal scorer, netting a stellar volley from 10 yards out in the 8th minute. With United's central defenders completely out of order, Xherdan Shaqiri put a cross into the box that was kicked away by David De Gea. Unfortunately for him, he kicked the ball right to Streller, who finished with a calm and collected striker to give his team the lead.
United picked up the pace in the final 15 minutes of the half and seriously searched for an equalizer, with Nani and Wayne Rooney running through multiple defenders on their own on a few occasions. Rooney also had some shooting opportunities, but failed to convert on three separate occasions. The equalizer felt inevitable from the 30th minute on, but Basel did enough to go into halftime with a lead.
Just before the end of the half, United defender Nemanja Vidic was forced off with an injury. It was some sort of leg injury, and it was bad enough that he was not able to leave the pitch under his own power. He was replaced by Johnny Evans.
Shaqiri has been the man of the match thus far, and it seems incredible watching this match that Basel managed to draw United without him. Not only did he provide the cross that set up the goal, but he's been the only Basel player able to keep possession. They've been booting the ball out of the back desperately at times, and they only reason they don't give the ball back instantly is Shaqiri's ability to keep the ball.
Check out Manchester United blog The Busby Babe for more on the Red Devils. We'll have coverage of all of the UEFA Champions League matches at SB Nation Soccer.
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