Manchester: FC Basel were denied a famous victory after Ashley Young struck late to help Manchester United to a 3-3 draw at Old Trafford in a thrilling Champions League group encounter on Tuesday night. Goals from Alexander and Fabian Frei helped the Swiss side overturn a two-goal half-time deficit, but the winger scored a late goal to tie the match.
Two quick-fire first-half goals from Danny Welbeck had given last year's finalists a healthy cushion at the interval, but the Swiss outfit had missed several opportunities to close the gap against a poor United defence.
But second-half goals from Alexander Frei, and one from his namesake Fabian, were just reward for a side who are fourth in their national league and are unbeaten in their opening two Group C fixtures.
And just as it looked like they were set to see out what would have been one of the most incredible wins ever seen, which would have put them five points ahead of last year's Champions League runners-ups, Young popped up to head home Nani's cross and spare his side's blushes.
The hosts made a total of four changes from the side that drew 1-1 at Stoke at the weekend, with Danny Welbeck getting his first start since returning from injury ahead of Dimitar Berbatov, while Ryan Giggs, Michael Carrick and Fabio also got their chance in the starting eleven.
Basel manager Thorsten Fink gave starts to three players that didn't feature from the side that beat FC Thun 2-1 on Sunday, as Granit Xhaka, David Abraham and Jacques Zoua all played.
A scrappy start from both sides saw the two outfits battling for early possession on the ball, as the visitors took advantage of some sloppy United defending and allowed Marco Streller to have a couple of breaks into the hosts' area, with the in-form striker getting off a shot although he slipped as he struck through the ball and sent it high above David De Gea's goal.
Antonio Valencia wasted a great chance with less than ten minutes played after Ashley Young drifted in a swooping ball towards Basel's back post and the winger leaped to head at Yann Sommer's net, but the former Wigan man's effort failed to hit its target disappointingly from just three yards out.
It took just 16 minutes for United to break the deadlock though, with injury-returnee Welbeck grabbing the goal after Valencia held the ball up to give the lone striker enough time to get positioned in the box and, thanks to a slip from Park, the winger was able to slide the ball to the attacker and with a scuffed shot on the turn, Welbeck dragged the ball into the far corner past a stretching Sommer.
Just one minute later Welbeck had doubled his tally and United's lead with a much cleaner shot. Giggs started the move as the Welshman hovered around the top of the Basel area and as Young darted into the box, the midfielder fired in a low pass that evaded the former Villa man and found Welbeck instead, who was able to effortlessly sidefoot the ball into the same corner he'd scored in just moments ago.
Despite the quick-fire setbacks, Basel continued to attack and should have had worked their way back into the match soon after.
First, Streller set up Alexander Frei with a back-heel but he hit his show wide from around 10 yards out, then Fabian Frei turned provider but Zoua could only shoot into the side netting.
In an unbelievably open contest, the Swiss side threatened again, with Zoua playing a one-two with Streller but Frei could only head his centre over the bar.
The hosts also had chances to increase their lead, but Sommer denied Welbeck a first-half hat-trick, then blocked Valencia’s shot with an outstretched leg when it appeared that the Ecuadorian would score.
United went into the break two goals to the good, but any suggestion that the match would quieten down was quickly removed soon into the final 45 minutes.
Young was correctly ruled offside in the opening minute after converting Valencia's cross then from a corner, the former Aston Villa man sent Giggs through on goal but his tame show was easily saved.
And just as in the first-half, Basel missed another great chance to halve the deficit.
Zoua set Streller through on goal once again down the right, but despite getting the effort on target for a change, De Gea was equal as he pulled off a stunning save with his outstretched leg to somehow keep his clean sheet intact.
Incredibly though, just like the first-half, two goals were scored within a few minutes, although on this occasion it was the Swiss side drawing level after a remarkable passage of play.
Firstly, Fabian Frei smashed home a half-volley after De Gea had made another good save to block Streller's header from a corner.
And then his namesake, Alexander, completed the comeback in dramatic circumstances.
Ferdinand looked like he had brought down the striker when he had slipped just outside the area, but it didn't matter as seconds later Fabian crossed for Alexander to head home.
Ferguson responded by replacing Giggs with Park, but the away side continued to look the most likely to score the fifth goal in the match.
United, however, continued to look dangerous when they got the ball forward and Stroller was relieved to grab hold of Valencia's header following Da Silva's cross.
It was one of the last acts for the Brazilian who was replaced by Nani with the home side desperate to re-take the lead.
But the notion that attack is the best form of defence was soon quashed as Basel were awarded a penalty after Valencia brought down Streller in the area after Phil Jones was caught dwelling on the ball.
It was left to Alexander Frei, who buried his spot-kick high to De Gea's right, to complete one of the most remarkable turnarounds ever seen.
The hosts were understandably shell-shocked and could not find the same attacking threat which had made Basel look so shaky in the first-half.
Valencia hit a tame shot which was easily saved by Streller, then Welbeck failed to connect with a Nani cross.
Dimitar Berbatov came on late to try and make an impact but he could only head straight at Streller.
But remarkably, as they are so famed for, United struck late to deny the visitors a famous victory.
Nani crossed again from the right and this time Young was there at the back post to head home his first Champions League goal for Manchester Untied.
Moments later and it was almost the second amazing turnaround of the night, but Welbeck just missed with his header from another Nani centre.
The draw leaves United without a win and with just two points after two matches, while Basel are top of the group with four.
"We were careless - it's a wake-up call in many ways," United manager Alex Ferguson said. "A lack of concentration saw us give the game away really ... but we rescued it."
Meanwhile, also in Group C, a goal from Bruno Cesar in the 40th minute gave Benfica a 1-0 win over Champions League newcomers Otelul Galati on Tuesday.
Cesar beat goalkeeper Branko Grahovac from 10 yards after a pass by Nicolas Gaitan.
Benfica dominated the game, and had several chances earlier in the first half. Axel Witsel and Cesar missed chances, while Grahovac saved from Javier Saviola in the 39th.
Otelul Galati's best chance came in the last minute when Sorin Frunza's shot was punched away by goalkeeper Artur Moraes and Milan Perendija just missed scoring on the rebound.
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