Champions League Group C preview: United chase win in Basel

Manchester United head to Basel on Wednesday in the unusual position of not having sewn up their place in the Champions League knockout stages.

With just one match remaining for sides in Group C, Sir Alex Ferguson’s team are level on nine points with Benfica at the top of the group with Basel a point further back in third.

Benfica, who have a superior head-to-head record against both United and Basel, are already through and will wrap up top spot in the group with a win at home against Romanian club Otelul Galati, who are yet to claim a point.

This means all the intrigue on Wednesday comes down to whether Basel can defeat Ferguson’s side to secure a berth in knockout stages.

Ferguson will be without Javier Hernandez, who suffered ankle ligament damage during United’s 1-0 win over Aston Villa on Saturday, and Michael Carrick is suspended for the fixture.

Centre back Nemanja Vidic, however, is free to resume after serving a two-match ban, and Danny Welbeck made an appearance off the bench at Villa Park after overcoming a hamstring injury.

Basel will be looking to qualify for the knockout stage for just the second time in their history, and they will take heart from the 3-3 draw they secured at Old Trafford on September 17.

Swiss striker Alexander Frei said that result had given the squad, who are six points clear on top of the Swiss Super League, belief in their abilities at the highest level of European Football.

“The guys are really proud we got a 3-3 draw and it is something that will stay with them for the rest of their careers,” he told the UEFA website.

“But the way I see it, it was more important for the future in general – when it happens, it’s absolutely amazing and something we may never experience again at Basel, but it shows that we have a future in UEFA competition.”