Getting goals from Marouane Fellaini, Romelu Lukaku and Marcus Rashford, Manchester United defeated FC Basel in UEFA Champions League group play quite comfortably. Unfortunately, the 3-0 victory in front of a home crowd was greatly overshadowed by the price paid for it.
Midfielder Paul Pogba left early with a hamstring injury, and he exited the Theatre of Dreams on crutches. However, we don’t know whether or not the injury is too serious (more on that here).
The good news is that the man who immediately replaced Pogba, the big Belgian Marouane Fellaini, opened the scoring in this match not long after Pogba’s departure. Here is the footage:
https://twitter.com/ManUtdUpdate_s/status/907695256174555137
On a side note, this was the first time that Pogba was handed the captain’s arm band while playing in a United shirt. If you’re into large Belgian internationals scoring headers, then this match was for you! Romelu Lukaku scored next, and this was the £75 million’s 10th goal for club and country combined in 2017-18.
He certainly made the most of his UEFA Champions League debut; have a look:
https://twitter.com/ManUtdReport_/status/907695248528297985
Given the body language conveyed by United’s Swiss opponents, the game seemed to be decided once we entered the early second half, but the Lukaku goal at 53′ made it all but certain. Unquestionably killing it off was the third scoring strike, by Marcus Rashford at the 84′.
You can view that highlight play here below:
https://twitter.com/FizzyMahmood/status/907702917678989313
United will next host Everton in Premier League play on Sunday. Their next Champions League clash will be on the 27th, when they travel to CSKA Moscow.
Paul M. Banks runs The Sports Bank.net and TheBank.News, which is partnered with News Now and Minute Media. Banks, a former writer for the Washington Times, NBC Chicago.com and Chicago Tribune.com, currently contributes regularly to WGN CLTV and Chicago Now.
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