FOOTBALL: United turn the corner; FC Basle 1 Manchester United 3.
Byline: KEN GAUNTSIR ALEX FERGUSON believes Manchester United are beginning to show the kind of form which wins titles.
A storming victory against Newcastle at the weekend was followed by a resounding win in Switzerland, where they opened the second phase of their Champions League campaign.
Considering United were without David Beckham, Rio Ferdinand, Gary Neville, Laurent Blanc, Roy Keane and Nicky Butt, there was much to admire last night.
"Maybe things are turning for us a little bit now," reflected Ferguson.
"We've got a bit of a break against Basle, and we got a break on Saturday with Liverpool and Arsenal losing.
"We returned to something like Manchester United on Saturday and we know that by Christmas all the players will be back. That give us a squad which will have fresh players into the new year and the second half of the season, so we are very hopeful."
United fought back after going one down in 31 seconds when Christian Gimenez scored - the sixth-fastest goal in Champions League history.
Ruud van Nistelrooy equalised in the 61st minute and then put United ahead two minutes later with a wonderful run and finish.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer added a third in the 68th minute as Basle began to ran out of steam.
Van Nistelrooy and Solskjaer now join Andy Cole and Paul Scholes at the top of the club's Champions League scoring charts on 18.
Significantly though the former PSV Eindhoven striker's tally has come in just 19 appearances.
Ferguson said: "The first goal turned the game as I believe it killed off Basle.
"Ruud's second was a fantastic finish and he is a real match-winner. He's seen a gap and gone for it.
"I see him every day and I see him in matches. You cannot dispute that the boys' finishing is fantastic."
Talented pair John O'Shea and Wes Brown formed a central defensive partnership for the first time in the absence of Gary Neville, Ferdinand and Blanc.
Gimenez's goal set the alarm bells ringing and O'Shea switched with full- back Mikael Silvestre at half time after a nervous start.
O'Shea grew in stature and Ferguson had nothing, but sympathy for the Republic of Ireland international.
The Old Trafford boss said: "He has not be playing centre-back the last few weeks, but at full-back.
"I did feel this was a real test for him as he's had only 20-odd games in senior football. He needs experience of games like this.
"The switch helped him and he came on to a good game in the second half."
Basle could have put the game out of United's reach, but only succeeded in squandering their chances.
Julio Rossi looked certain to put them 2-0 ahead, only for Fabien Barthez to divert the ball to safety.
Ferguson said: "It was a great save, but we expect Barthez to make great saves because he is a great goalkeeper."
Silverstre then appeared to trip Hakan Yakin as he broke through, but referee Valentin Ivanov waved play on.
Ferguson breathed a sigh of relief. "Some referees may have given a penalty," he said.
"I thought it was clear Silvestre did get a touch on the ball, but there were plenty of shouts for it."
Ferguson was delighted with the way the team had dug in after that early shock.
"Basle are technically a good team and got a perfect start, " he said.
"Nine of our players hadn't touched the ball and we are 1-0 down.
"In big games there are moments when you ride your luck. I think we rode our luck."
CAPTION(S):
BACK ON TERMS: Ruud van Nistelrooy and Ryan Giggs celebrate Manchester United's equaliser in Basle last night
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| Title Annotation: | Sport |
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| Publication: | Coventry Evening Telegraph (England) |
| Date: | Nov 27, 2002 |
| Words: | 615 |
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