Streller wants United respect

Basel captain Marco Streller claims Manchester United did not take his side seriously in their 3-3 Champions League draw at Old Trafford.

Host United needed a stoppage-time equaliser from Ashley Young to rescue a 3-3 draw in the first meeting between the teams on September 27, having led 2-0 at half-time.

Streller, 30, feels last season’s runners-up will have learnt their lesson and know what to expect from the Swiss champions when they meet again in Basel on Wednesday.

United cannot afford to lose the Group C match if they are to progress to the last 16 of the Champions League.

“At 2-0, it seemed to me they didn’t take us seriously,” Streller said.

“But after that, I know they will not underestimate us again. They will take us seriously because now they know we are a good team. We have proved it already.”

Streller knows Basel go into the game as underdogs, but despite United’s array of talent, the forward is hoping his side can pull off a shock.

“Of course the pressure is bigger for them,” he said.

“In 99 percent of the games they play, Manchester United are the favourites. They probably have 30 internationals in their squad.”

“Although Javier Hernandez and Dimitar Berbatov are not here, they still have Danny Welbeck to come in.”

“I am sure they can cope with the pressure but maybe there is one or two percent in the back of our minds that can make it an advantage for us.”

The Basel captain is also hoping United’s average league form could play a part in determining the outcome.

“At the moment Manchester City are really in form in the Premier League, but maybe not so much in the Champions League,” he added.

“With Manchester United it seems to be the other way round. But they are still one of the strongest teams in the world.”

“They reached the final last year and in 2008 they won the competition without losing a match, so we have to respect them.”