FC Basel were denied a famous victory after Ashley Young struck late to help Manchester United to a 3-3 draw at Old Trafford. Two quick-fire first-half goals from Danny Welbeck had given last year’s finalists a healthy cushion at the interval, but the Swiss outfit had missed several opportunities to close the gap against a poor United defence. But two second-half goals from Alexander Frei, and one from his namesake Fabian, were just reward for a side who are fourth in their national league and are unbeaten in their opening two Group C fixtures. But just as it looked like they were set to see out what would have been one of the most incredible away wins ever seen at Old Trafford, which would have put them five points ahead of last year’s Champions League runners-up, Young popped up to head home Nani’s cross and spare his side’s blushes. The hosts made a total of four changes from the side that drew 1-1 at Stoke at the weekend, with Welbeck getting his first start since returning from injury ahead of Dimitar Berbatov, as Ryan Giggs, Michael Carrick and Fabio also got their chance in the starting XI. Basel manager Thorsten Fink gave starts to three players that did not feature from the side that beat FC Thun 2-1 on Sunday, as Granit Xhaka, David Abraham and Jacques Zoua all featured. Antonio Valencia wasted a great chance with less than 10 minutes played after Young drifted in a swooping ball towards Basel’s back post and the winger leaped to head at Yann Sommer’s net, but the former Wigan man’s effort failed to hit its target disappointingly from just three yards out. It took just 16 minutes for the home side to break the deadlock with Welbeck grabbing the goal. Valencia held the ball up to give the lone striker enough time to get positioned in the box and found Giggs, who slid the ball to Welbeck and with a scuffed shot on the turn, the striker dragged the ball into the far corner past a stretching Sommer. Just one minute later Welbeck had doubled his tally and United’s lead with a much cleaner shot. Giggs started the move as the Welshman hovered around the top of the Basel area and as Young darted into the box, the midfielder fired in a low pass that evaded the former Villa man and found Welbeck instead, who was able to effortlessly side-foot the ball into the same corner he had scored in just moments earlier. Incredibly though, just like the first-half, two goals were scored within a few minutes although on this occasion it was the Swiss side drawing level after a remarkable passage of play. Firstly, Fabian Frei smashed home a half-volley after De Gea had made another good save to block Streller’s header from a corner. And then his namesake, Alexander Frei, completed the comeback in dramatic circumstances. Ferdinand looked like he had brought down the striker when he had slipped just outside the area, but it didn’t matter as seconds later Fabian crossed for Frei to head home. Sensationally, Basel were awarded a penalty after Valencia brought down Streller in the area after Phil Jones was caught dwelling on the ball. It was left to Alexander Frei, who buried his spot-kick high to De Gea’s right to complete one of the most remarkable turnarounds ever seen. But remarkably, as they are so famed for, United struck late to deny the visitors a famous victory. Nani crossed again from the right and this time Young was there at the back post to head home. Sir Alex Ferguson will no doubt be enraged by the defending of his side, but the credit must go to the visitors, who performed as well as any side at Old Trafford in the Champions League in recent times.