Manchester United Basel: Arsenal star Granit Xhaka tips Champions League upset

ARSENAL star Granit Xhaka thinks his old side Basel may beat Manchester United in their Champions League group stage clash tonight (7.45pm).

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Manchester United go up against Basel for the first time since 2011.

On that occasion, the Swiss side beat them 2-1 to end their Champions League campaign and dump them into the Europa League instead. 

Marco Stroller and Alexander Frei got on the scoresheet, with Phil Jones’ late consolation not enough for Sir Alex Ferguson’s side to make the knockout stages. 

And Arsenal star Xhaka, who played 82 minutes for Basel that evening, thinks his former side can repeat the feat this evening. 

Manchester United Basel: Arsenal star Granit Xhaka is tipping a Champions League upset

“Basel can also achieve something this time,” he told Swiss newspaper Blick

“Manchester United are favourites, but in two games everything is possible. 

“I keep my fingers crossed that they can do something like that again.”

Jose Mourinho, meanwhile, wants his team to get their campaign off to a winning start.

Manchester United Basel Granit XhakaGETTY

Manchester United Basel: Granit Xhaka played in the last game between the teams

And he also wants United to show they belong in their ‘natural habitat’.

“To be in the Champions League is just to go back to the natural habitat, season after season, for Manchester United,” he said. 

“I look forward to tomorrow and hope Old Trafford feels it in the same way we feel it. 

“Our motivation’s high. We’ll try to qualify and enjoy that special knockout phase with the best teams in Europe.”

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