Ashley Young rescued Manchester United from an embarrassing defeat by Basel in a 3-3 draw which exposed worrying defensive shortcomings for Sir Alex Ferguson's men.

United had appeared to be strolling through the match, thanks to Danny Welbeck demonstrating lethal finishing with two goals in just 80 seconds to justify his place at the expense of Dimitar Berbatov.

However, United had been given ample warning about Basel's threat with the Swiss side missing a hatful of chances before they stunned Old Trafford with three goals, two from Alexander Frei and one from his namesake Fabian Frei, before Young's last-minute header saved a point for United.

"It was a really good performance in the first half, but we were left grappling to get a result in the second half. We threw it away," said United manager Sir Alex Ferguson. "Losing three goals at home should be a wake-up call for us."

Basel remain on top of Group C in the UEFA Champions League and this performance will provide Ferguson with some head-scratching, with question marks particularly falling over Phil Jones and Rio Ferdinand's compatibility in central defence.

The first half was all about Welbeck, however, having been a loan striker last season, the 20-year-old was the lone one against Basel with Ferguson surprising everyone, and not least Berbatov, with his formation.

Ryan Giggs played a key supporting role to Welbeck and was devastatingly influential with the vital touches to allow the young striker to finish.

Losing three goals at home should be a wake-up call for us.
Sir Alex Ferguson, Manchester United coach

The first came from a well-worked move. Jones brought the ball forward, Antonia Valencia took over and picked out Fabio's run into the box. A simple ball across the box was cushioned by Giggs into Welbeck's path and although he scuffed his shot slightly it still found the corner.

Just over a minute later and Giggs played a masterful ball that Welbeck struck home with a powerful low shot to make it 2-0. Basel must have been cursing themselves with both Freis and Marco Streller all having missed the target from decent positions, but things changed for Thorsten Fink's men in the second half.

David de Gea had saved with his foot from Streller before Fabian Frei put the visitors back in the game. Streller headed on a corner and when the ball reached Frei 12 yards out, he cracked in a blissful volley off the upright.

Fabian Frei then turned provider, crossing for Frei and leaving De Gea grasping thin air as the header soared into the net to equalise.

Ferguson had to go for it and he threw on Nani for Fabio with Valencia dropping to right-back. Nani's first contribution was a negative one, however, as he gave the ball away to send Basel surging forward. United's failure to clear their lines cost them dear;y as Streller burst into the box and Valencia brought him down.

Frei made no mistake from the spot, blasting it high past De Gea and Old Trafford was stunned into silence. Ferguson sent on Berbatov with nine minutes left and the Bulgarian had one chance with a header, but Yann Sommer made a comfortable save.

The expected siege of Basel's goal arrived as time ticked away and finally Nani's cross found Young at the far-post and he headed it powerfully past Sommer. Welbeck could have made himself the hero of the night in injury time, but glanced his header just wide and a winner for United would have been barely deserved.