There will be two minutes added on at the end of this match.
88'
Fellaini has put in one heck of a shift off the bench tonight, deputising for the injured Pogba, as have all these United players. They were starved of Champions League football last season, as were these fans, and they have all been treated to a near flawless performance tonight.
86'
STAT: Manchester United have reached the knockout stages in 16 of their previous 20 Champions League appearances; however, they haven’t made it past the group stages since 2013/14.
84'
M. Rashford has scored a goal for Manchester United!
THAT SETTLES IT! Right place, right time for Rashford who finishes like a true poacher, steering a finish into the empty net after Fellaini's pull-back somehow creeped through the legs of both Mkhitaryan and Xhaka.
82'
T. Xhaka gets yellow.
Delicious turn from Mkhitaryan who is dragged down from behind by Xhaka, whose brother Granit of Arsenal is in the crowd at Old Trafford tonight watching on.
81'
These final 10 minutes are shaping up to be nothing more than a formality. United are passing it around calmly in midfield and Basel are showing little desire to fight to win it back. Even if they could get possession, which they have struggled to do, they just haven't had the Champions League quality they needed in attack tonight.
79'
Rashford's eyes light up as he has the chance to make an instant impact off the bench from a free-kick, but wildly lashes his strike over the bar. It should mean little in the grand scheme of things, but that was a disappointing effort from a promising position.
77'
M. Rashford enters the game and replaces Mata.
D. Oberlin enters the game and replaces B. Riveros.
Dimitri Oberlin comes on to replace Riveros for Basel's second change of the night.
Mourinho has used up his subs now as he brings Marcus Rashford on at the expense of Mata.
75'
More changes forthcoming for both sides, as they look to freshen things up for the final 15 minutes. Basel are wary of throwing caution to the wind, as second place in this group could very well boil down to goal difference. A 0-2 result at Old Trafford is not the worst thing to have to stomach.
Minute
Description
73'
United are confidently knocking the ball around near the halfway line, as they start draining the clock. Well into the final 20 minutes now and Basel aren't looking like posing a threat of scoring, let alone coming back in this match.
71'
STAT: Basel are winless in their last 10 Champions League games (D4 L6), their longest drought in the competition. They’ve also never scored more than one goal in those 10 games.
69'
J. Lingard enters the game and replaces A. Martial.
United's second change of the night sees Jesse Lingard replace Martial.
68'
Martial comes close to getting on the end of a ball into the box that might have produced United's third, moments before Blind wins a free-kick on the left. The hosts are looking firmly in control here, as Mourinho prepares his second change of the night.
66'
K. Bua enters the game and replaces R. van Wolfswinkel.
Basel make their first change of the night as Kevin Bua replaces Van Wolfswinkel, who has had very little tonight in terms of service.
64'
GREAT SAVE DE GEA! Sloppy defending from United, the first time we've seen that from them tonight, and it allows Elyounoussi to be played through on the left. He cuts back onto his right and powers an effort at goal, but De Gea reacts brilliantly, getting a strong hand up to parry it over the bar!
62'
Lukaku nearly doubles his account! He's the last guy you want to leave unmarked in the area, but that's what Basel do as a free-kick is whipped into the area, only Vaclik is up to the task on this occasion.
61'
M. Lang gets yellow.
Martial's trickery proves too much for Lang as the Basel defender trips him up cynically which earns him a booking.
60'
Basel are just lacking the final ball when they get into the final third, but the encouraging part for them is that they are spending more time in the attacking half here, having to do a lot less defending.
58'
D. Blind gets yellow.
Nearly a replicate of what happened to Young in the first half, moments after Blind picks up an assist he goes into the referee's book as he's shown a yellow card.
57'
Elyounoussi remains Basel's biggest threat in attack and gets into a good position here, but fires over the bar. Basel need to start making the most of their chances, as limited as they're proving to be.
55'
Basel have their work cut out for them now. They did have two great chances in that first half, but neither Zuffi nor Elyounoussi could capitalise, and they have to change their approach here as a result if they are to scrape and claw their way back into this game.
53'
R. Lukaku has scored a goal for Manchester United! Assist by D. Blind.
Lovely set-piece from Blind who is credited with the assist.
BREATHING ROOM FOR UNITED! Another absolutely exquisite delivery, this one by Blind from a corner. It just hangs up there for Lukaku, who steers a header into the top corner to double United's advantage and open his Champions League account!
52'
STAT: Mourinho is taking part in the Champions League with a fifth different club after Porto, Chelsea, Inter Milan and Real Madrid. Only Carlo Ancelotti (7), Rafael Benitez and Claudio Ranieri (6) have taken charge of more clubs in the competition.
50'
It's been a very even start to this second half with both sides enjoying their fair share of possession. United are knocking it about now, rather harmlessly, in midfield, with Basel showing a bit more bite both on and off the ball.
48'
Encouraging, but wasteful, start to the second half from Basel. Zuffi springs Riveros into acres of space on the left, but the full-back opts to try and send in an early cross which clears everyone in the penalty area and sails out of play.
46'
Back underway at Old Trafford!
45' +2
HALF-TIME: MANCHESTER UNITED 1-0 BASEL.
45'
The board goes up to indicate a minimum of two minutes of added time.
43'
Mkhitaryan shows his class with a tremendous delivery over the top to pick out Fellaini, who meets it with his head, but has to try and pull it back for Lukaku as no one was rushing on towards goal to try and meet it. That was begging to be sent across the face, and Martial really should have crept in towards that back post.
41'
STAT: Basel have never progressed further than the Last 16 in the Champions League (2011/12, 2014/15).
39'
Straight at De Gea! A free header for Elyounoussi in the box following the free-kick stemming from Young's booking, but he bounces his effort straight into the waiting arms of the United keeper! Big letoff for the hosts!
38'
A. Young gets yellow.
Young finds his name on the stat sheet again here, moments after his assist, commiting a late foul at the other end as he goes into the book.
35'
M. Fellaini has scored a goal for Manchester United! Assist by A. Young.
Terrific delivery from Young who provides the assist.
THERE'S THE BREAKTHROUGH! A piece of brilliance from Young who bends in an absolutely sensational cross for Fellaini, in there for the injured Pogba, and the Belgium international makes no mistake with the finish!
34'
HE'S SLICED IT! Well that wasn't in the script! A long ball into the box is won by Van Wolfswinkel, who knocks it back for Zuffi to hit. The midfielder lines it up on the half-volley, but rockets an effort wide of the far post! A bit more composure and Basel would have stolen the lead!
32'
STAT: This is Manchester Utd’s 21st Champions League participation, the most for an English side and the fourth-most after Real Madrid, Barcelona and Porto (22).
30'
Well there's a sign of the rain playing a part in the match! A back-pass isn't hit with enough venom and it puts Vaclik under pressure, but the keeper is able to clear his lines. The more this rain comes down, the harder those passes need to be hit.
28'
É. Balanta gets yellow.
Respite for the visitors as they enjoy a tidy break on the counter, but United sniff out the attack and hit back straight away. Balanta slides in recklessly to take down Mkhitaryan, rather unnecessarily as well, and is issued the first yellow card of the match.
27'
Despite the implacable rain here in Manchester, it doesn't seem to be effecting either of these sides. United are probably very used to the Manchester rain by now, due to the frequency with which it falls at Old Trafford.
25'
Basel are totally backed up here as relentless pressure is applied by United. There's just no way out for the visitors at the moment, as there seems to be a red shirt on the end of every one of their clearances.
23'
HOW HAS THAT STAYED OUT?! Somehow the match remains scoreless as Mkhitaryan is denied in close by the woodwork before Vaclik somehow manages to thwart him again on the rebound after a delicious cross from Lukaku!
21'
STAT: Paul Pogba has only scored two goals in 32 Champions League games.
19'
M. Fellaini enters the game and replaces P. Pogba.
A frustrated Pogba limps off under his own power as he's replaced by Fellaini.
17'
Well how bit a blow would this be? Pogba stretches awkwardly as he tries to win the ball in midfield, before immediately clutching his hamstring. He takes a few steps and then drops to the ground as he signals over to the bench. Marouane Fellaini immediately begins warming up as the training staff comes out to attend to Pogba.
15'
The hosts are looking increasingly threatening with each attack. Another delightful bit of interplay sees Lukaku picked out atop the penalty area, and he wiggles into space for a shot, but sends his strike straight at Vaclik from 20 yards.
13'
There's the class! Exactly what United were looking for, as they produce their most incisive attack of the night. Mata is sprung into the area along the right channel and flicks a clever cross in for the on-rushing Mkhitaryan, but the midfielder lifts his header over the bar!
11'
Every white shirt remains firmly focused on defending the threat posed by United. Basel are dropping so deep behind the ball and congesting the middle of the pitch, but it has left the flanks exposed. There's space for the likes of Young and Blind to get after on the overlap.
9'
STAT: This is the fifth game between Manchester Utd and Basel, all in the Champions League. For now, the record is perfectly balanced with one win each and two draws.
7'
Young catches Elyounoussi with a late challenge and is issued a warning by the referee. It comes towards the end of a smart Basel counter-attack, led by Taulant Xhaka, which leads to a corner for the visitors - though nothing winds up coming from it.
5'
All United in the early stages, with Basel barely getting a touch of the ball. There's a terrific atmosphere at Old Trafford, as should be expected this evening, but the rain has led to some sloppy passing. It's not shaping up to be the prettiest of matches.
3'
DREADFUL MISS! Lukaku has an effort blocked close to goal following a corner. The keeper is caught well out of position as the ball comes to Martial, but the Frenchman lifts his strike over the gaping goal!
1'
AND THEY'RE OFF! The rain is driving down at Old Trafford as Manchester United get the match underway.
Hello and welcome to Old Trafford for live coverage of this Group A opening Champions League tie as Manchester United host Basel!
Manchester United’s perfect start to the Premier League season ended on Saturday as they drew 2-2 at Stoke City, but it’s very possible their had one eye on tonight’s match as they return to the Champions League following a one-year hiatus, just their second absence in the last 22 years.
The group stage, on paper at least, appears more than negotiable for Jose Mourinho’s side, who are expected to top the group without too much difficulty, but this competition takes no prisoners – one lapse in concentration and they could dig a hole for themselves.
Basel have become Champions League regulars, having won the Swiss league eight seasons in a row, but they have not enjoyed the best of starts to the 2017/18 campaign, winning just three times from seven league matches.
Despite their semi-regular participation in the competition, they have not made much noise beyond the group stage. That being said, they have fared well in England, losing just one of their last six visits to the UK, twice taking points at Old Trafford.
CONFIRMED TEAM NEWS:
MANCHESTER UNITED (4-2-3-1): De Gea; Young, Lindelof, Smalling, Blind; Pogba, Matic; Mata, Mkhitaryan, Martial; Lukaku.
Jose Mourinho makes six changes to his side from the draw at Stoke. Eric Bailly and Phil Jones miss out due to suspension and are replaced in the centre of defence by Victor Lindelof and Chris Smalling. Ashley Young and Daley Blind come in at full-back at the expense of Antonio Valencia and Matteo Darmian, while Ander Herrera and Marcus Rashford are dropped with Juan Mata and Anthony Martial restored.
Raphael Wicky makes two changes to his Basel team who were stunned by a 2-1 defeat at home to Lausanne Sport at the weekend. Eder Alvarez Balanta comes into the side to accomodate the switch to a three-man defence, while Mohamed Elyounoussi joins the attack, replacing Serey Die and Kevin Bua.
Marouane Fellaini came off the bench to replace the injured Paul Pogba and has proved the difference through 45 minutes as his header has provided Manchester United with a lead to take with them into the break on a wet night at Old Trafford.
A convincing return to the Champions League for Jose Mourinho and Manchester United as they trounce Basel to the tune of a 3-0 victory with Marouane Fellaini, Romelu Lukaku and Marcus Rashford finding the net for the Red Devils. Up next for them is a visit to Moscow for a date with CSKA, while Basel return home for a must-win encounter with Benfica.
That's all for our live coverage, thanks for following along. Goodbye!
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