Cottee: Manchester United Paid Price For Pogba Substitution At Basel

Manchester United paid the price for substituting Paul Pogba in their "devastating" defeat at Basel, but Tony Cottee has backed Jose Mourinho's men qualify for the Champions League last 16.

After four wins from their opening four group games, United travelled to Switzerland needing just a point to qualify for the knockout phase.

United dominated the first half at St. Jakob-Park but were punished for failing to take their chances as Michael Lang breathed life into Basel's qualification hopes with a dramatic late winner.

Basel's improved second-half display coincided with the withdrawal of Pogba, whose second outing following a two-month injury layoff lasted 66 minutes.

Speaking on Soccer Special, Cottee believed Pogba's absence was telling, but criticised United's inability to convert their chances.

"It was possibly a mistake to take Pogba off, he was probably their best player," he said.

"Mourinho made changes and brought on Marcus Rashford, Nemanja Matic and Zlatan Ibrahimovic, but Pogba was the one in midfield who was making things happen.

"They did lose the midfield in the last 20 minutes, but United should have had the game wrapped up."

United registered nine attempts on goal in a dominant first-half display, striking the woodwork on two occasions through Marouane Fellaini and Marcos Rojo after Fellaini had seen a header cleared off the line.

Mourinho's men, who still boast a three-point cushion at the top of Group A, remain in pole position to progress into the knockout phase.

Cottee is adamant they will get the job done against CSKA Moscow on matchday 6, but believes the manner of the defeat in Basel will have left a bitter taste in the mouth.

"It's a devastating result for Manchester United," he added.

"They could have got the point or won the game and coasted through the last game of the group. But now they've got to put in a professional performance [against CSKA].

"Tonight's result should not make any difference in terms of qualification, with the CSKA game at home. They should go through now, with a point certainly enough."

Credit: Skysports.com