Manchester United marked their Champions League return with a comfortable victory over FC Basel on Tuesday night.
Having dominated the first half against the Swiss champions, a header from Marouane Fellaini – on as a substitute for the injured Paul Pogba – gave United a lead ten minutes from half-time. Fellaini’s countryman, Romelu Lukaku added a second shortly after the break, before substitute Marcus Rashford scored the game’s final goal late on.
Pogba’s injury aside, it seemed like a convincing start for Jose Mourinho’s men.
However, the United manager made clear after the game that he was far from happy with his players’ performances for much of the second half.
“Until 2-0 we were very stable, we played with confidence, with good choices,’ Mourinho told reporters after the game.
“After 2-0 everything changed, we stopped playing seriously and stopped making right decisions. We could have put ourselves in trouble.
“We were playing fantasy football, Playstation football. I don’t like it, flicks and tricks.
“We gambled and you have to respect your opponent.
“I don’t know if goal difference will play a part. We lost position, our shape, we lost balls in easy situations. I didn’t like it, the players relaxed too much.”
United will face Everton at Old Trafford on Sunday with Ronald Koeman’s side in Europa League action away at Atalanta on Thursday night.
