Manchester United are in Basel looking to seal progress to the Champions League knock-out phase.
After four wins from as many Group A matches, United are all but through given they boast a six-point cushion over second placed Basel.
Jose Mourinho's men will, though, wrap up the group with a draw on Wednesday - progress could even be confirmed before kick-off if CSKA Moscow do not win at home to Benfica in the early kick-off.
Basel had to lay a new surface at St Jakob-Park after Switzerland's World Cup play-off win against Northern Ireland turned into a mud bath.
Just 10 days after that match, United will line-up against the Swiss champions on a patchy surface that Mourinho and Chris Smalling had a look at on the eve of the game.
Neither seemed overly concerned and Basel head coach Raphael Wicky insisted it was better than it looked.
On Saturday his side beat FC Sion 5-1 on it without many issues.
Follow all the action live right here.
Basel: Vaclik, Akanji, Suchy (c), Balanta, Lang, Die, Zuffi, Petretta, Steffen, Elyounussi, Oberlin
Subs: Salvi, Fransson, Ajeti, Riveros, Manzambi, Itten, Bua
Manchester United: Romero, Darmian, Smalling, Rojo, Blind, Herrera, Fellaini, Pogba, Lingard, Martial, Lukaku
Subs: Pereira, Lindelof, Shaw, Matic, McTominay, Rashford, Ibrahimovic
 | BASEL | v | MAN UTD |  |
Raphael Wicky has decided to make just one change to the Basel side that were beaten by CSKA three weeks ago, with Serey Die coming into the starting line-up to replace Taulant Xhaka.
Manchester United substitutes: Castro, Shaw, Lindelof, McTominay, Matic, Rashford, Ibrahimovic.
Manchester United XI (4-2-3-1): Romero; Darmian, Smalling, Rojo, Blind; Herrera, Fellaini; Lingard, Pogba, Martial; Lukaku.
Basel substitutes: Salvi, Riveros, Manzambi, Fransson, Bua, Itten, Ajeti.
Basel XI (3-4-3): Vaclik; Akanji, Suchy, Alvarez; Lang, Die, Zuffi, Petretta; Steffen, Oberlin, Elyounoussi.
There’s just under 15 minutes left to go until kick-off, so let’s have a look at how the two teams will be lining up this this evening…
Interesting from our man in Moscow.
David McDonnell
@DiscoMirror
Man Utd goalkeeping coach Silvino Louro has just ordered De Gea, who is not playing tonight and was sat in the dug-out wearing headphones, to go back to the dressing-room. De Gea didn't look impressed #MUFC @MirrorFootball
Basel struggled in their last meeting with United but prepared for tonight’s clash in fine fashion with a 5-1 thrashing of Sion on this very ground. The Swiss side have lost just one of their last 11 games across all competitions but found themselves on a three-game winless run heading into last weekend after being beaten by CSKA and suffering disappointing draws against both Zurich and Young Boys.
As for Basel, they find themselves in a two-team battle for second place, with top spot realistically now out of reach. CSKA’s victory against bottom side Benfica means the Russian club now enjoy a three-point gap over the reigning Swiss Super League champions, leaving Benfica needing to pull off a positive result to give themselves the best chance of making the knockout stage for the first time since 2015.
They’ll certainly be feeling confident about their chances of getting the better of Basel once again. The last meeting between the two sides ended in an easy 3-0 victory for the Red Devils, and since then they’ve managed to bag themselves seven goals in the Champions League while shipping just one in reply. They’re also able to head into the game on the back of an impressive 4-1 thumping of Newcastle United.
United’s relatively comfortable win at home to Benfica in their last European outing means they head into this evening’s clash knowing a draw will send them into the last-16 of the competition. They’ve won each of their four games so far, and with a three-point gap currently separating them and CSKA Moscow - who were victorious against Benfica earlier today - they should be able to finish top of the group.
Good evening and welcome to our live text commentary of today’s Champions League group stage game between Basel and Manchester United at St. Jakob Park.
Just to confirm, United need a point tonight.
CSKA beat Benfica 2-0 in Moscow.
A big moment for Igor Akinfeev....his first Champions League clean sheet in 11 years!
Team news
Basel: Vaclik, Akanji, Suchy (c), Balanta, Lang, Die, Zuffi, Petretta, Steffen, Elyounussi, Oberlin
Subs: Salvi, Fransson, Ajeti, Riveros, Manzambi, Itten, Bua
Manchester United: Romero, Darmian, Smalling, Rojo, Blind, Herrera, Fellaini, Pogba, Lingard, Martial, Lukaku
Subs: Pereira, Lindelof, Shaw, Matic, McTominay, Rashford, Ibrahimovic
Can Smalling be as strong as his press
conference?
Mourinho has confirmed Smalling will start against Basel - no shock there given the injuries to Eric Bailly and Phil Jones.
However, eyebrows were raised at the strength of the defender’s comments in the pre-match press conference, admitting to having been “surprised” to be left out of the England squad and then seen his ability on the ball publicly questioned by Gareth Southgate.
Strong Champions League performances will surely help him win a place back in the national team.
There has been a goal in Moscow.
And CSKA lead Benfica 1-0.
That will mean Manchester United still need a point against Basel to go through.
Manchester United can qualify tonight without kicking a ball.
CSKA Moscow vs Benfica is already underway in Russia.
Anything but a home win will secure United’s spot in the last 16.
Pitch-ssues?
Basel had to lay a new surface at St Jakob-Park after Switzerland’s World Cup play-off win against Northern Ireland turned into a mud bath.
Just 10 days after that match, United will line-up against the Swiss champions on a patchy surface that Mourinho and Chris Smalling had a look at on the eve of the game.
Neither seemed overly concerned and Basel head coach Raphael Wicky insisted it was better than it looked.
On Saturday his side beat FC Sion 5-1 on it without many issues so no excuses for either sides it seems.
MIRROR UK
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