Basel vs. Manchester United: Preview, Live Stream, Start Time and Schedule

If Manchester United does not defeat or draw against FC Basel on Wednesday, then the defending Premier League champions will not make the knockout stage of this year's UEFA Champions League.

United is tied at the top of Group C with Benfica at nine points, just one point ahead Basel in third place.

A disaster on Wednesday would prevent the Red Devils from avenging last season's loss to Barcelona in the Champions League Final at Wembley.

At Old Trafford on September 27, Basel should have beaten United but a late goal from Ashley Young allowed the home team to escape with a point.

This time United travel away from home in their most important game of the season. They have not played too well in the Champions League this season, but they can erase their early struggles with a strong performance Wednesday.

Let's look at everything you need to know about this important Champions League matchup.

Where: St Jakob-Park, Basel, Switzerland

Watch: Fox Soccer 

Live Stream: foxsoccer.tv

When: Wednesday, Dec. 7 at 2:45 p.m. ET

Player to Watch for Manchester United: Wayne Rooney

Wayne Rooney was firing on all cylinders early in the season, but his production has slowed since. He is tied for club lead in goals during Champions League play with Danny Welbeck at two.

Rooney must be making good runs and creating problems for the Basel defense if United are going to win on Wednesday.

This is a massive game for the club, and as the best player for manager Sir Alex Ferguson, Rooney must dominate Basel and lead by example.

Player to Watch for Basel: Alexander Frei

Alexander Frei must play well for Basel to pull of a historic upset of Manchester United. Frei leads Basel with 18 shots and three goals in Champions League play.

Against United at Old Trafford in September, Frei scored two goals in a game his club should have won, but drew 3-3. 

Frei must be creating offense for himself and his teammates on Wednesday for Basel to win.

Key Matchup: Alexander Frei vs. United Back 4

Like I mentioned above, Frei has to play well for Basel to upset United. The Red Devils back four has not been consistent this season, and injuries to Rio Ferdinand and Nemanja Vidic have hurt them.

Away from home it is so important for Manchester United to not allow Basel to take an early lead and become even more confident, while at the same time getting their crowd really into the match.

What They're Saying

Sir Alex Ferguson recently said that teams in Europe has gotten stronger, which is understandable since many top clubs have struggled in the Champions League over the last few seasons.

Via ESPN:

"

"There are some strong teams out there now," Ferguson said. "I think we may have to bring our game up a little bit and make sure we don't underestimate the group stages. We should have won our home game against Basel [a 3-3 draw] and because we didn't we now need to go there and make sure they don't beat us. We could find our casualness in the first game costs us."

"

Prediction: Manchester United Wins 2-0

There's no way United don't go into Basel and win this hugely important Champions League match. Ferguson has so many players with great European experience, and on paper this is a real mismatch. 

United will start their best 11 on Wednesday and give an inspired effort that will make their fans forget about this season's disappointing group stage.