Young rescues a point for United to spare Ferguson's blushes

Manchester United avoided their first defeat since the final of last year's Champions League thanks to Ashley Young's last minute equaliser that salvaged a point for Sir Alex Ferguson's men at home to Swiss side Basel.

United looked to be recording their 21st consecutive home win in the Champions League at half time when they lead by two Danny Wellbeck goals at half time but had to come back in dramatic fashion thanks to a combination of terrible defending and a spirited performance from the Swiss champions.

On a night that saw Carlso Tevez refuse to take to the field in Munich two strikers would've dreamed for a run-out for United and would have had more reason to be upset about their absences than their former Argentinian team-mate. Michael Owen, on the back of a fine brace against Leeds last week in the Carling Cup, and Dimitar Berbatov, who has rarely featured for United this season, would have both been forgiven for thinking that they could have started for United last night. Instead Wellbeck was given the opportunity to do so and rewarded his manager's faith in him with two goals in the space of 19 minutes.

(Dear Mr. Tevez, note: The professionalism of Owen and Berbatov respectively)

Wellbeck's first goal came after just 17 minutes as his scuffed left-footed effort found the net via the post following Ryan Giggs' clever lay-off from Fabio's cross. Wellbeck had his, and United's, second of the night just 90 seconds thanks to another sublime assist from Ryan Giggs. Giggs' through ball may have had the intention of finding Ashley Young but the ball was left by the England winger and found Wellbeck just ten yards out who side-footed the ball, first time, past Yann Sommer in the Basel goal. United thoroughly deserved the 2-0 lead that they took into half-time and what was to follow shocked even the most positive of Basel fans.

Basel came out firing in the second half and pressed United in possession. They were rewarded for their pressure after 58 minutes with their first goal of the night. David De Gea's fine reaction save from Marco Strella's near post flick from Alexander Frei's corner fell to Frei's namesake Fabian who thumnped home off the post from inside the area.

Just as Wellbeck had done for United in the first half, the Freis then made it two goals in as many minutes with this time Fabian turning provider for Alex. Fabian's excellent ball from the right found Rio Ferdinand exposed and caught under the flight of the cross and nowhere near tight enough to his man, Alex Frei, who directed his free header back across goal, past De Gea and into the far corner to make it 2-2 and stun Old Trafford.

Basel where as dominant as United had been in the first half by now and a clumsy challenge from Antonio Valencia, filling in at right-back for the injured Fabio, on Marco Strellar gave Basel the chance to go in front for the first time of the night from the penalty spot. Alexander Frei completed the amazing turnaround by despatching his penalty into the top left corner of the net, sending De Gea the wrong way in the process and giving Basel a 3-2 lead with just 14 minutes left.

Up step A. Young man (waaaaayyyyyy) who has delighted United fans with his performances since his move from Aston Villa in the summer. Nani, on for the injured Fabio, crossed excellently from United's right and found Young who headed past Sommer at the near post. This concluded the inevitable United comeback with Fergie time to spare in which, Wellbeck nearly gave United all three points but his header flashed inches wide of the Basel goal and a very entertaining game finished 3-3.