Man Utd Without Rooney And Hernandez For Basel Clash
Man Utd could only draw their opening Champions League fixture against Benfica whilst Basel won their opening match against Galati which means Basel go into this match at Old Trafford as the top team in the group. Basel may fancy their chances in this match with Man Utd missing several first teamers but they have it all to do if they are to keep top spot in Group C for a second match running.
Man Utd will go into this match without their regular strike partners Wayne Rooney and Javier Hernandez, Rooney is out with a hamstring injury whilst Hernandez suffered a dead leg against Stoke on Saturday and misses out. Danny Welbeck's return to fitness has been well timed, he had been out with a hamstring injury but returns for this match, Michael Owen and Dimitar Berbatov are in contention to partner Welbeck. Also set to miss out for United are Chris Smalling, Jonny Evans, Nemanja Vidic, Rafael and Tom Cleverley who are all out injured. For Basel, their star youngster Xherdan Shaqiri, misses out through suspension.
With several players missing for United it would be easy to think Basel are a very good bet to get a result, and that might have been the case if this was being played in Switzerland, but Man Utd should be well capable of beating Basel at home with whatever team they field for this match. United have enough strength in each position to field a very good team and it seems more than likely that Man Utd will win this match.