Carrick, Jones & Welbeck: Your thoughts on the 3-3 draw with FC Basel
Surrendering a 2 goal lead, defensively poor, these aren’t things we have come to expect of Manchester United so it is understandable that there has been quite an outcry even if the wrong personnel are taking the flak.
At the back the seniors, Ferdinand and Evra did little to calm their two younger team mates. Ferdinand was uncharacteristically shaky whilst the poor positioning that has dogged Patrice Evra recently was again a factor in the result.
After such wonderful highs came a bump back to reality as Phil Jones’ lack of experience became apparent (what I will say in his defence for the penalty is that it is commendable that he tried to play the ball out of defence rather than hoof it, we need ball players!)
The defence may have been poor but I think they were afforded little to no protection from the midfield as has been the case in recent games thus Basel were able to have 14 shots and score 3 goals. We aren’t Arsenal so conceding 3 goals at home isn’t acceptable, we’ve been able to get away with cavalier performances previously but against Basel it caught up with us.
I’m over the moon for Danny Welbeck, great for him to get his first two Champions League goals and continue to give Sir Alex something to think about. It had been thought that he would struggle to get back into the team after the hamstring injury but he is rather fortunate that both Rooney and Hernandez are both injured and he is taking full advantage.
Ryan Giggs provided two more assists, the man is a footballing machine and continues to show, despite all the nonsense off field, he is a class apart.
Apart from that late scare, David De Gea looked good and if not for that save with his feet we could well have lost this match. His performances are improving and whilst people were quick to pick up on his mistakes the praise has been a little muted.
Here are your thoughts from our Facebook page, if you haven’t joined yet what are you waiting for?
Ben M: I thought Evra’s performance was a disgrace like he was playing a training game and not bothered to get back. Taking off Ando was a mistake as I thought he did really well. Positives though was Welbeck coming back and Ashley Young and Jones were immense again.
Alom M: Defence completely disappeared, Rio looked off the pace, Jones/Fabio inexperience exposed but what got me most is that after they scored, we stopped creating for a little while and it was like it took their 3rd goal as a kick up our backsides to spark our attack again but well done to Basle, to come from 2-0 down to almost win that game hats off to them!
Anthony C: Not enough tempo, very sloppy defence. Again, what is Carrick doing? What does he bring to this team? Basle had nothing to lose and played without fear, but without someone hustling next to Ando we just get overrun. Very poor.
Christopher C: They got the 2 goal lead and thought they had the 3 points. They stopped playing. Disgrace!
Mick J: We have no quality central midfield players. Forget the players we were missing that side should have been good enough to win. It’s a crime to have quality wingers and we can’t get the ball to them. Carrick was shocking yet again and i was disappointed with Evra. Need to get Cleverley back in quick and buy some class midfielders in January.
Lionel U: Fabio was poor as was Carrick it was a mistake to not have Valencia as RB and Nani should have started along with Park at centre back.
Blaine R: I’m in shock that we let them back in. They pulled a Man United on us, they got something out of a game we should’ve put to bed. The lack of quality in midfield is showing.
Mohammed A: I would trade Carrick for a pizza, as for Evra we should look for a new left back, and barbatov (sic) just why he is a 4th striker.what a disgrace.
Johnno P: Exactly the reason Sneijder was meant to have been bought for, not only to produce in midfield but step up in Europe. Lack of experience shown from Jones despite his talent.
This is Galatasaray 1993 all over again..over
Gavin L: We were lucky 2 go in 2 up at half time & that should’ve set alarm bells ringing! It obv spurred on Basel & we almost paid for poor central midfield play which spread to the defence and only players who played well were De Gea & Nani. Last 2 games have shown how much we rely on Rooney & are missing a decent central midfielder.
When I say almost paid I meant by losing! We paid but not the ultimate price! And I’d say we’d be doing well 2 get a full pizza for Carrick. One slice with no more than 3 toppings would be generous!
Micky E-W: Carrick was our best player tonight in my opinion? Why start with 1 up front at home? Got what we asked for…
Chow W-M: We’re still in need of that real world class quality in midfield. Who? Not for me to say but for SAF and his staff to answer. We can’t look at one game either, I’ve been quite alarmed by the fact that the opposing sides have had upwards of 15-20 attempts at our goal in the last few games.
Pluses? Welbeck and to a lesser extent Ando had good games.
Wayne N: We’ll still win group at a canter.