Champions League Group C wrap: United escape, Benfica earn win

Ashley Young spared Manchester United’s blushes with a late goal to rescue a point in a 3-3 draw with Basel in the Champions League.

Young ghosted to the back post to nod home in the 90th minute and salvage a point for United in a pulsating contest at Old Trafford, after Alexander Frei’s second-half brace had helped give Basel a shock 3-2 lead.

It was an uncharacteristic display from a much-changed United side, whose continuous lapses in defence almost cost them dearly against the Swiss champions.

Danny Welbeck was preferred to Michael Owen and Dimitar Berbatov in the absence of Wayne Rooney and Javier Hernandez, and he validated the decision with a pair of goals in the first half from Ryan Gigg’s passes.

But second-half goals from veteran striker Alexander Frei and one from his namesake Fabian were just reward for a side who are fourth in the Swiss Super League and are unbeaten in their opening two Group C fixtures.

However, just as it looked like they had pulled off what would have been one of the most incredible away wins ever seen at Old Trafford – a win that would have put them five points ahead of last year’s Champions League runners-up – Young popped up to head home Nani’s cross.

In Bucharest, Brazilian Bruno Cesar scored late in the first half to hand Benfica a well-deserved 1-0 win over Romanian side Otelul Galati.

Cesar made Benfica’s dominance pay when he slotted home cooly five minutes before the interval from Argentine Nicolas Gaitan’s pass.

The Portuguese giants were rarely challenged by a meek Otelul attack and – having not lost in 12 matches in all competitions – they confidently searched for a second.

Javier Saviola and in-form Paraguayan Oscar Cardozo saw chances go begging, while Cesar’s fizzing long shot stung the palms of goalkeeper Branko Grahovac.

Benfica go level on four points with Basel courtesy of the win, while Manchester United sit in third following their two draws. Otelul Galati remain bottom without a point.