Champions League: Manchester United Brush Aside Basaksehir 

By Ibrahim Taiwo, The Nigerian Voice Sports

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer insisted Manchester United are back on track after they avenged their humbling Champions League defeat against Istanbul Basaksehir with a 4-1 rout of the Turkish side on Tuesday.

Solskjaer's team crashed to a shock 2-1 loss at the hands of the Group H outsiders in Istanbul earlier in November.

But there was never any chance of another upset as United ran Basaksehir ragged at Old Trafford.

Bruno Fernandes was the catalyst with a stunning long-range opener early in the first half.

He doubled the lead before passing up a hat-trick chance when he allowed Marcus Rashford to convert the penalty that brought United's third goal before halftime.

Basaksehir's Deniz Turuc netted a fine free-kick but, after a late United wobble, Daniel James struck in the final moments to seal the points.

"I felt first half we saw the intent straight away, they wanted to play and they enjoyed it," Solskjaer said.

"It's a Champions League night at Old Trafford, you'd expect them to enjoy themselves. We scored some very nice goals, I'm pleased."

United's third win from four group matches means one point from their last two games against Paris Saint-Germain and RB Leipzig would secure their place in the last 16.

"We need one point, but of course we want to be top of the group but we'll take it one game at a time," Solskjaer said.

United's loss in Istanbul had raised serious questions about Solskjaer's ability to hold onto his job.

But successive Premier League wins against Everton and West Brom, followed by this emphatic success, have eased the pressure on Solskjaer a little.

Solskjaer named Uruguay striker Edinson Cavani in the starting line-up for the first time since his signing in October.

With Paul Pogba still sidelined by a swollen ankle, there was a rare start for Dutch midfielder Donny van de Beek.

"The two are getting used to how we want them to play. Donny can play in different positions and Edinson is a good old fashioned No 9. We haven't had that for a while," Solskjaer said.

Both Cavani, who has scored once in seven appearances for United, and Van de Beek did their chances of a more regular action no harm with solid displays, but it was Fernandes and Rashford who stole the show. (AFP)