Thu, 08 Dec 2011 10:31a.m.
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Three-time European champion Manchester United went out of the Champions League today after a 2-1 loss to FC Basel.
United needed just a draw to advance from its group to the knockout rounds but Basel captain Marco Streller scored in the ninth minute and Alex Frei struck in the 84th.
- Check out the post match reactions from Sir Alex Ferguson
Despite Phil Jones's scrambled goal in the 89th, United slumped to only its second group-stage exit since 1996.
Swiss champion Basel, led by novice interim coach Heiko Vogel, join group winner Benfica among Europe's elite in the last-16 draw next week.
United, a winner and twice runner-up in the past four seasons, finished third in the group. It now has the unwanted honor of playing in the second-tier Europa League next February.
More misery was heaped on manager Alex Ferguson as he lost captain Nemanja Vidic to what appeared a seriously injured right knee.
On a cold night and rain-soaked pitch, United started brightly as Wayne Rooney, Nani and Ashley Young linked smartly in front of the Basel defense.
A long spell of possession ended when Park Ji-sung turned in the penalty area and curled a left-footed shot too high.
Basel's hottest young prospect Xherdan Shaqiri had troubled the visitors with a long dribble before he created the opening goal.
Shaqiri fired in a low cross after defenders Vidic and Chris Smalling collided when failing to clear a high ball from the right.
United goalkeeper David de Gea's awkward block with his legs guided the ball toward Streller, whose left-footed shot from 10 yards (meters) bounced just inside the post.
United dominated possession but created little until Nani sparked a frenetic spell around the half-hour mark.
The Portugal winger teed up Rooney three yards out but the England forward failed to connect cleanly.
Rooney then seized on a clever reverse pass from Ryan Giggs but shot at goalkeeper Yann Sommer.
Nani was denied by Sommer's smothering save, and his trickery repeatedly troubled left-back Park Joo Ho.
United lost Vidic in the 42nd minute when the Serbian fell clutching his right knee after tangling with Streller.
Giggs freed Rooney to run clear in the 49th but his shot floated wide of Sommer's left-hand post.
Basel responded strongly as United's looked exposed to Shaqiri's influence in central midfield.
The 20-year-old playmaker curled an 18-yard shot wide, then Alex Frei's 25-yard meter free-kick was tipped over by the diving De Gea.
Basel defender Markus Steinhoefer almost gifted United a spectacular goal in the 60th minute when he volleyed Nani's cross against the bar.
As United's play grew more urgent, Sommer rose to the challenge with excellent handling to protect his team's lead.
A memorable Swiss victory appeared sealed in the 84th minute when Frei stooped to head home a bouncing ball at the back post.
Jones gave United some hope when he bundled the ball just over the line, after substitute Federico Macheda's shot ricocheted back out off the crossbar.
AP