Manchester United vs. Basel: Manchester United Player Ratings

Manchester United struggled for a 3-3 draw, Tuesday against Swiss champions Basel in a Champions League Group C fixture.

After taking a 2-0 halftime lead on two Danny Welbeck goals, United suffered a second-half meltdown as Basel took a deserved 3-2 lead.

Ashley Young rescued a draw for United with a low, near-post header late in the second half. Sir Alex Ferguson's side had chances to win in stoppage time, but a draw was probably a fair result for both sides.

Afterwards, United surely had plenty to think about.

The offense performed well, grabbing two opportunistic goals in as many minutes midway through the first half. When an equalizer was needed, United found one.

The defense, on the other hand, played poorly. Basel had time and space to operate all over the pitch. Marco Streller tore open the United defense with his runs and passing, and while he didn't score, he troubled United's back line all night.

The midfield gave up possession too easily and allowed Basel to run free at the back line. Not until Streller came off did United gain the initiative.

Four matches remain in the Group C fixture list. Thankfully for United, the next two come against the group's designated punching bag Otelul Galati.

But Ferguson's team will have to improve on Tuesday's performance if it wants to win the group.

Goalkeeper

David De Gea: 5.0

It's difficult to fault De Gea on the two Basel goals that resulted from open play. On the penalty, though, he was way off. And late in the second half, a long clearance confused him enough to make United supporters fear the ball would end up in the back of the net. De Gea's team needed a steadier performance at that point.

Defenders

Rio Ferdinand: 4.0

Ferdinand allowed Basel attackers to run at him and past him all night. He was slow to pick up runs. He looked sluggish. He was lucky not to be booked for a poor challenge in the second half, even if the referee decided it wasn't a foul.

Phil Jones: 4.5

Jones and Ferdinand didn't form a good partnership in central defense. Jones had a few good clearances and got forward well in the closing stages. Overall, though, it was a below-average performance.

Patrice Evra: 4.5

The Frenchman wore the captain's armband but failed to fully reward his manager's confidence. He was caught out of position on more than one occasion, and as captain he needed to organize his defense better.

Fabio: 5.0

Fabio looked dangerous when he went forward and was involved in the opening goal. But he too looked out of position defensively before being subbed out with a foot injury in the second half.

Midfielders

Michael Carrick: 3.5

This was a shocking performance. Carrick looked completely outclassed by Basel's midfield, which ran freely all night. The Swiss champions had time and space in dangerous positions and as the holding midfielder, Carrick was at fault.

Ashley Young: 6.5

Young played well in the attack and took his chance well for his first Champions League goal. He could have helped track back better in the midfield, though.

Antonio Valencia: 6.0

Valencia performed well in his preferred position, but he did miss a few chances.

Anderson: 5.5

Anderson's touch frequently let him down. He played hard but didn't play all that well.

Forwards

Ryan Giggs: 6.0

The ageless Giggs looked frisky in the opening stages and made a great pass—or was it a busted pass—to set up Welbeck's second goal. Ferguson subbed him out early in the second half in an attempt to strengthen the midfield. It didn't work.

Danny Welbeck: 7.0

Welbeck did what he was supposed to do. He got himself into dangerous positions and took his chances with skill. He scored two opportunistic goals, his first two in the Champions League.

Subs

Ji-Sung Park: 5.0

As always, Park played with a ton of injuries. It didn't make much impact.

Nani: 6.0

Nani produced a beautiful, long-distance cross that Young headed in for the late equalizer.

Dimitar Berbatov: no rating

Berbatov didn't have much impact on the game as a late substitute. He shot into the outside of the side netting with United's final touch.