Manchester United eased back into Champions League life as Marouane Fellaini, Romelu Lukaku and Marcus Rashford put Basle to the sword.

Last season was just the second time in 22 years that the three-time European champions were without a place at the continent's top table, but May's Europa League triumph brought a much-needed return.

United's first Champions League match in 644 days ended in a straightforward Old Trafford victory as substitute Fellaini, in-form Lukaku and substitute Rashford kicked off Group A with a 3-0 win against Basle.

The only negative on the Reds' return to what manager Jose Mourinho calls their "natural habitat" was the injury to Paul Pogba, who left clutching his hamstring 19 minutes into his first game leading the side out as captain.

Lukaku hit home United's second (
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Fellaini came on for the Frenchman and quickly underlined just why Mourinho leans on him so heavily, heading the hosts into a deserved lead during a first half that saw Henrikh Mkhitaryan hit the post.

Basle were unbeaten on their two previous visits to Old Trafford but the Swiss champions never looked like getting anything out of Tuesday's encounter.

Lukaku's first goal in the Champions League group stage early in the second half compounded matters for the visitors, who were unable to prevent substitute Rashford netting his first goal in the competition late on.

Celebrations for United from the three goalscorers after the final goal (
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Stat attack

  • Manchester United are unbeaten in 32 successive home games in all competitions (W21 D11 L0) & haven’t lost at Old Trafford for a year (10th September 2016). This is their best unbeaten home run since October 2011 (37 games).
  • Marouane Fellaini’s goal was the 100th scored by a Belgian player in the Champions League (excl. OGs).
  • Fellaini’s strike was also his 50th in English club football (33 for Everton, 17 for Man Utd).
  • Fellaini goal was the earliest by a substitute for Manchester United in the Champions League since Ryan Giggs on February 25th 2003, v Juventus (after 15 mins).
  • Romelu Lukaku became the 13th different player to score on their Champions League debut for Manchester United.
  • This was the first time that two Belgians have scored for the same team in a CL game since October 23rd 2002 (Club Brugge v Galatasaray).
  • Marcus Rashford has now scored on his Premier League, Europa League, Champions League & EFL Cup debut for Manchester United, as well as his England debut.
  • Marcus Rashford is the fourth English teenager to score a Champions League goal for Manchester United after David Beckham, Wayne Rooney & Phil Jones.
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5 things we learned

Manchester United made their long-awaited return to the Champions League in winning style last night with a 2-0 win over FC Basel.

Goals from Marouane Fellaini and Romelu Lukaku – his sixth since his £75million summer move from Everton – ensured a winning start to the group stage for Jose Mourinho’s men.

Marcus Rashford got in on the act in the closing stages to round off the victory.

But the win came at a price for United, with captain for the night and record £89m signing Paul Pogba going off with a hamstring injury in the 18 minute that could keep him out for several weeks.

Here are five things we learned as United returned to European club football’s top table after an absence of 644 days.

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GOAL! Rashford gets on the scoresheet

In pictures: Lukaku scores the second

Look how much it meant to him!

Striker Lukaku gets his first-ever Champions League goal as he heads home from a corner.

Very much plain-sailing for United from here.

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GOAL! Lukaku makes it two!

Another cross.

Another header.

Another goal.

In pictures: Fellaini's opening goal

It was quite simple for United.

A cross into the box and the biggest lad on the pitch there to head it home.

Football is an easy game, sometimes.

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United fans unhappy with Young as captain

Manchester United fans aren’t best pleased with Paul Pogba having to hand his captain’s armband over to Ashley Young.

The France international was forced off with a suspected hamstring injury 19 minutes into the Red Devils’ Champions League group game against Basel.

He was replaced by Marouane Fellaini and was visibly frustrated at having to leave the pitch so early into the club’s big night back in Europe’s elite competition.

Pogba, who was named Man United captain for the match by Jose Mourinho, handed the armband to his boss who threw it to Young as he left the pitch.

And it seems this decision - which was definitely not Pogba’s - has left Red Devils supporters a little frustrated.

Now we don’t think it’s because Young is considered a poor leader. We’d say it’s more than likely to do with the fact he hasn’t played in 131 days.

And it might have something to do with the fact United have a wealth of talent on the pitch and some very, very big personalities.

But it’s Mourinho’s choice, and to be fair to Young, he has represented the Old Trafford club for a very long time...

Now try telling these lot...

Story: Pogba hobbles off with injury

Paul Pogba was forced off with an injury in Manchester United’s Champions League clash with Basel.

The France international was replaced by Marouane Fellaini on 19 minutes after going to ground and gesturing to the bench.

He appeared to pull his hamstring and was visibly frustrated at having his night cut short in the Red Devils’ opening Champions League group game.

Pogba, who was named Man United captain for the match by Jose Mourinho, handed the armband to Ashley Young before leaving the pitch.

Mourinho will be frustrated to lose the £90million midfielder, who has hit the ground running for the Red Devils this season.

Playing in a more advanced role alongside Nemanja Matic, the Frenchman has notched two goals in the Premier League and assisted just as many.

But the Portuguese will be delighted with Fellaini for opening the scoring for Manchester United against Basel.

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HT United 1-0 Basel

Mkhitaryan has been particularly lively for United this evening.

Every attack seems to be going through the Armenian at some point.

He is slowly becoming a key man for Mourinho.

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GOAL! Fellaini puts United ahead!

Succulent cross from Young, who puts it right on Fellaini’s head.

The substitute is unmarked in the penalty area and he powers his header into the goal.

A much deserved goal.

A sorry sight for Manchester United fans.

Pogba looked in pain as he sat on the floor.

Just got to hope that he pulled up before he did too much damage.

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The rain is coming down here at Old Trafford.

United are by far the better team here.

Seems like a matter of when, not if, they get the breakthrough during this first-half.

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Bad news for United as captain for the night Pogba is forced off.

He looked like he tried to walk off the problem but was in too much pain.

He headed straight down the tunnel for treatment.

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Five minutes to kick-off

Just five minutes to wait!

Manchester United’s long-awaited return to Europe’s top table is here.

It’s a strong line-up from Jose Mourinho, who will be hoping for a comfortable evening.

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Saha on why English clubs struggle in Champions League

English clubs struggle in the Champions League because they are too predictable, according to former Manchester United striker Louis Saha.

No Premier League side has reached the final of Europe’s premier competition since Chelsea beat Bayern Munich in the 2012 final.

Real Madrid have won three of the last four finals with Barcelona winning the other in 2015.

And Saha said: “I think the first thing that comes to my mind is the fighting spirit that you have every weekend, trying to bring that in the Champions League is really hard. You have to be really composed, you have to understand that maybe the first half is not yours.

“You have to really sit and understand the tactics of the opponent. It does bring a lot of attention on one or two players because of the fact you have to create something really hard to defend against, it’s a factor that now managers understand because now it is a bit hard to see the difference between players.

“Maybe it’s because I’ve finished football, it’s easier for me to criticise. There are a lot of players who are formulaic so it’s easy to read.

“English teams have to change that, to be more unpredictable. That’s the thing, I think sometimes the typical way of playing in the Premier League is not suitable in the Champions League.”

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Basel coach reveals plan to beat United

Basel will not be in awe of Manchester United - according to the man who knocked the Reds out of the Champions League six years ago.

Alexander Frei’s goal secured Basel a 2-1 win over United which condemned Sir Alex Ferguson’s side to third spot in their group and a place in the Europa League.

Former Switzerland striker Frei, now Under-18s coach with Basel, has been impressed with United this season under Jose Mourinho and knows his side are in for a tough test at Old Trafford tonight.

But the 38-year-old former striker warned Mourinho and his players that the Swiss champions have no fear of facing United and are capable of causing at upset in the Group A opener.

“FC Basel are also a good team,” said Frei. “We respect the big names and we know clubs such as Manchester United are bigger, but we’re not afraid of playing against them.

“I’m sure that Manchester United won’t underestimate us.”

Read Frei’s plan for the game here.

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United out for their warm-up

Preparations are fully underway for the game.

The team are out on the pitch stretching ahead of the fixture.

Very much a comfortable win for United expected tonight.

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Bale reveals why he snubbed United move

Gareth Bale has one word for those questioning why he didn’t leave Real Madrid for Manchester United in the summer: Trophies.

The Welsh star, 28, has seen his place at the Santiago Bernabeu come under increasing threat over the last few months, with both Isco and Marco Asensio vying for his place in the European champions attack.

Bale’s season has made something of a slow start, and he came in for criticism after Los Blancos’ weekend draw with Levante.

But the 28-year-old is a key part of a Madrid side looking to make it three Champions League triumphs in a row, beginning their quest against Anderlecht on Wednesday night.

The Welsh international could have been wearing red at club level and kicking off his European campaign on Tuesday against Basel, with Jose Mourinho once more keen on taking Bale to United.

But Bale insists that, while Neymar left Barcelona to become the face of Paris Saint-Germain, he was never close to leaving Madrid to become the main star at Old Trafford

“Well there’s an argument for that,” he told the Daily Mail, when asked whether he could have left Madrid’s Galacticos to become the No.1 man in Manchester.

“But I think the main thing, when you look back on your career, is that you look at your trophies. In the end that’s probably the most important thing.”

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Parker on why Lukaku cannot win United the CL

Former Manchester United defender Paul Parker believes the Red Devils will struggle to win the Champions League with Romelu Lukaku as their main striker.

The Belgian has scored four times already for United following his big-money move from Everton.

He will lead the line against Basel on Tuesday night in his first appearance in the competition since 2010 with Anderlecht, when he was just 17.

But former United title-winner doesn’t think the Red Devils can go all the way with Lukaku as their focal point.

And he believes the striker will lose his place for European matches, once Zlatan Ibrahimovic returns.

“Lukaku worries me a bit as the most important thing in Champions League football is ball retention and to kill the game, especially if you get a goal in front. Patience is vital. He doesn’t strike me as that kind of player,” he wrote in his Eurosport column.

“He has started the season like a steam train and United could easily have waved Zlatan goodbye. But he is being kept around because United want to win the Champions League this season and he will be instrumental if they are to have any chance.

“If Ibrahimovic comes back in November, December or January - whenever it may be - then when United start the knockouts in February, providing they make it, it will be Ibrahimovic who leads the line and Lukaku will be on the bench, without a shadow of a doubt.”

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Champions League Group A guide

Benfica

The Eagles won a 36th Portuguese title last term but were thrashed by Borussia Dortmund in the round of 16.

Again this summer they have sold key men, including keeper Ederson and Victor Lindelof. Much is expected of Franco Cervi.

Man United

Manchester United put all their eggs in the Europa League basket late last season, and it paid off as they beat Ajax in Stockholm.

Now they’re back at Europe’s top table and the likes of Henrikh Mkhitaryan and Paul Pogba will hope to make an impression.

Having been handed a fortunate draw can Jose Mourinho win a third Champions League?

Basel

Swiss champions 17 points clear of the rest last term, they’ve a new manager in former Swiss midfielder Raphael Wicky this term.

Look out for Ricky van Wolfswinkel, who flopped in the Premier League with Norwich, up front…he’s confident again after 23 goals for Vitesse last term in Holland, starting life in Switzerland with seven goals in as many league games.

CSKA Moscow

Every year they’re here. Every year they don’t get through.

Igor Akinfeev doesn’t do clean sheets in Europe. Can they finish third?

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Manchester United starting XI

Ashley Young gets his first Manchester United start for 131 days in tonight’s game.

Victor Lindelof also comes into the defence, as was previously expected.

Anthony Martial starts in attacking midfield in place of Marcus Rashford.

United XI: De Gea, Young, Blind, Smalling, Lindelof, Matic, Pogba, Mkhitaryan, Mata, Martial, Lukaku.

United subs: Romero, Darmian, Valencia, Carrick, Fellaini, Lingard, Rashford.

Anderson reveals what living with Ronaldo was like

Former Manchester United midfielder Anderson has opened up about living with Cristiano Ronaldo during his time at Old Trafford.

The Portuguese superstar took Anderson under his wing when he joined United in 2007.

Ronaldo was well on his way to becoming the best player in the world and Anderson has opened up about their relationship, reports the Manchester Evening News.

While life under the same roof was demanding, at times, Anderson has never forgotten how important those early days were with Ronaldo.

“Living with Ronaldo is all about working hard 24/7. He is an incredible person,” he told Esporte Espetacular via Besoccer.com

“He didn’t know me but he and Nani brought me into their home as if I was their brother. He had time for everyone.”

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Basel fans arrive in style

The Basel fans are here in Manchester - and they’re all wearing the exact same thing.

The large crowd are in the city centre, marching towards the stadium and catching the eye of the public along the way.

Nearly every single one of them is dressed in the same jacket, with hats, sunglasses, jeans and trainers.

Good effort.

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Welcome!

Manchester United are back in the big time.

Jose Mourinho’s men qualified for the Champions League after winning the Europa League last season.

And now they will looking to show they are at home again in Europe’s elite club competition as they host Swiss giants Basel in their Group A opener.

The Portuguese boss has confirmed he will make changes to the side who drew 2-2 with Stoke in the Premier League last Saturday.

Ashley Young is in contention to return for Manchester United for the first time since May in the Champions League on Tuesday.

Young arrived at the Lowry Hotel with the United squad on Monday night ahead of the game against Basel, four months after he suffered a groin injury against Celta Vigo in the Europa League semi-final second leg.

Old Trafford gears up for the return of Champions League football (
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Luke Shaw trained with the United first-team on Monday afternoon but was not among the squad which checked in at their pre-match base.

Eric Bailly and Phil Jones serve the last match of their European suspensions against Basel, while Scott McTominay was also not spotted in the pre-match party.

Victor Lindelof is expected to come into the centre of defence in Bailly and Jones’ absence.

Keep track of all the drama as it unfolds at Old Trafford with our live minute-by-minute updates in the blog.