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Ajax vs Manchester United - as it happened: Jose Mourinho's men claim victory in Europa League final
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Your support makes all the difference.Ajax and Manchester United make battle in Wednesday’s Europa League final in what is a clash between two of Europe’s iconic clubs.
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- Five Ajax youngsters capable of upsetting the odds in Europa League final against Manchester United
- The Manchester United players who may not feature for the club again after the Europa League final
What time does it start?
Ajax vs Manchester United kicks off at 7.45pm BST
Where can I watch it?
The match will be shown for free live on BT Sports Showcase from 7.00pm BST. Highlights will be shown at 10.50pm BST on ITV.
Preview
Jose Mourinho’s team are looking to win Europe’s second-tier competition for the first time in their history. Crucially, victory over the Dutch side would also give United a back-door route into next season’s Champions League group stages. Having already lifted the League Cup this year, adding a second piece of silverware would represent a successful first 12 months in charge for the Portuguese.
There is, however, an all-or-nothing feel about the match in Stockholm for United. After finishing sixth in a disappointing Premier League campaign, losing out on both the silverware and Champions League place in Sweden would be a real blow to the Old Trafford side.
In United’s way stand an Ajax side who have reached their first European final in 21 years. Peter Bosz’s side finished as runners up to Feyenoord in the Eredivisie, meaning that unlike United their Champions League place is secure regardless of the result in Stockholm. Though they will start as underdogs, the Amsterdam club boast a multitude of exciting young talent and are not to be taken lightly.
It’s a big game for…
Paul Pogba. Though perhaps an obvious choice, the astronomical fee United paid Juventus for the 24-year-old means the Frenchman’s form will always be under the microscope – even more so on the big occasion. If Pogba can play a leading role in a United victory on Wednesday, it would be a big statement from the midfielder at the end of a mixed season.
Best stat…
7. The combined number of times Ajax and United have won the Champions League or European Cup. The Dutch side’s haul of four puts them sixth on the all-time list, while their opponents’ three titles put them joint seventh along with Italian side Inter.
Remember when…
The last time these two sides met was at the last 32 stage of the same competition in 2012. On that occasion, goals by Aras Ozbiliz and Toby Alderweireld earned Ajax a 2-1 win at Old Trafford, but it was not enough to secure progression following United’s 2-0 first-leg victory.
Player to watch…
Kasper Dolberg. The teenage forward is one of a number of precocious young talents at head coach Bosz’s disposal. With 23 goals in all competitions and six in the Europa League, United’s backline will have to be wary of the 19-year-old.
Past three meetings…
Manchester United 1 Ajax 2
Europa League, February 2012
Ajax 0 Manchester United 2
Europa League, February 2012
Manchester United 2 Ajax 0
UEFA Cup, September 1976
Form guide…
Ajax: WLWWLL
Manchester United: WDLDLW
Odds…
Odds provided by 888 Sport
Ajax to win: 7/2
Manchester United to win: 15/19
Draw: 5/2
78 MINS
Traore finds Riedewald on the edge of the area, but the 20-year-old's attempted skill leads to the loss of possession. Ajax are moving forward well, but they are just lacking the final product.
81 MINS
De Ligt moves forward and goes for goal from distance, but his left-footed strike flies straight in row Z.
Substitution: Riedewald is replaced by De Jong.
83 MINS
The desperation of the Ajax side is beginning to show, as Sanchez tries his luck from 40-yards. It is a powerful strike, but it flies way over the woodwork.
Substitution: Rashford is replaced by Martial.
86 MINS
Lingard finds himself through on goal and it looks like a certain third goal, but Sanchez charges back and once again saves his side. The pace from the Columbian was electric there.
89 MINS
Substitution: Mata is replaced by Rooney.
The United legend is making his 559th appearance for The Reds tonight.
90(+3) MINS
Younes charges towards the United area, but Rooney tracks back and redeems possession with a perfectly timed sliding challenge.
FULL TIME
AJAX 0 - 2 MANCHESTER UNITED
It is all over here at Friends Arena - United have won their first ever European League trophy with a remarkable 2-0 victory. An early strike from Pogba took a lucky deflection to open the scoring, followed by a clever strike from Mkhitaryan just after the interval to double the tally.
United have secured their position in next seasons Champions League group stages and redeemed themselves from a rather substandard sixth place finish in the Premier League. A tremendous win for The Reds and a huge boost for Manchester as a city following the tragic terrorist attack.
Ajax showed glimpses of brilliance, but their young and inexperienced proved unable to break down the organised United side. Traore looked menacing going forward and Sanchez saved Bosz's side from further humiliation.
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