Manchester United v Basel FC – Devils tipped at 10/1 for Home advantage - (2025)

Updated: 26/01/2025

Manchester United v Basel FC – Old Trafford – 12 September, 2017 – UEFA Champions League – Group A preview

The breaking news for Manchester United is that Jose Mourinho has picked Zlatan Ibrahimovic in the UEFA Champions League squad to play Swiss club Basel on September 12. The 35-year-old Swede striker is gradually recovering from his injuries and it is expected that he will join the ranks of Lukaku and Rashford upfront in Manchester United's quest for goals.

Manchester United will have a lot of players returning from their international duties for their respective countries in the WC 2018 qualifiers and featured in Saturday's Premier League game against Stoke City before they host Basel in their UEFA Champions opener at Old Trafford.

The advent of the £75 million Romelu Lukaku has given the United attack a new lease of life, notching up three consecutive wins in the 2017-18 Premier league season. A victory on Saturday against Stoke in their 4th Premier league clash will give them great confidence going into the mid-week UCL opener.

Basel, the Swiss Super League champions of 2016-17 have got of to a modest start in the 2017-18 season with three wins, two draws and one loss from their six outings in the competition so far.

Watch Ricky van Wolfswinkel's Goals in 2016/17

Luca Zuffi and Dimitri Oberlin are expected to give van Wolfswinkel the support needed upfront at Old Trafford on Tuesday.

Basel have been difficult opponents, beating the Red Devils in their last UCL clash 2-1 in 2011. In their previous visit to Old Trafford during the same year The Swiss club were able to hold the hosts to a 3-3 draw. Bookmakers expect a much different result this time around with the hosts emerging winners from the September 12 clash.

But even the great recent form of United is no guarantee to a walkover, especially in a tourney like the Champions League that has a history of throwing up surprises.

 

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