Ajax vs Manchester United - as it happened: Jose Mourinho's men claim victory in Europa League final
Re-live all the action from the Europa League final at the Friends Arena
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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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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
Welcome to The Independent's live coverage of the Europa League final between Ajax and Manchester United.
Wednesday's showpiece in Stockholm has been overshadowed by the events of Monday night, when 22 people lost their lives in a suicide bombing at the Manchester Arena.
Yet after those shocking events, the city is expected to rally behind Jose Mourinho's men as they attempt to win their second major trophy of the season and claim a place in the Champions League group stages.
Stay with us for build-up, team news and more...
Team news:
United’s defender Eric Bailly will miss tonight’s final following his straight red card in the semi-final fixture against Celta Vigo.
The absence of United’s talisman, Zlatan Ibrahimovic, may prove pivotal tonight as he remains out of action with a long-term knee injury.
Marcos Rojo, Ashley Young and Luke Shaw will also be unavailable in Stockholm due to injury.
Ajax are set to line-up without suspended Nick Viergever, but Daley Sinkgraven could earn his place back in the starting line-up tonight following a return to training this week.
Line-ups announced around 18:45.
The Ajax strike-force are set to cause an upset tonight at the Friends Arena. No pressure United...
Team news:
Manchester United Starting XI: Sergio Remero, Antonio Valencia, Chris Smalling, Daley Blind, Matte Darmian, Marouane Fellaini, Ander Herrera, Paul Pogba, Juan Mata, Marcus Rashford, Henrikh Mkhitaryan.
Substitutes: David De Gea, Phil Jones, Wayne Rooney, Anthony Martial, Jesse Lingard, Michael Carrick, Timothy Fosu-Mensah.
AFC Ajax Starting XI: Andre Onana, Joel Veltman, Davinson Sanchez, Matthijs De Ligt, Jairo Riedewald, Davy Klaassen, Lasse Schone, Hakim Ziyech, Bertrand Traore, Kasper Dolberg, Amin Younes.
Substitutes: Diederik Boer, Kenny Tete, Heiko Westermann, Frenkie De Jong, Donny Van De Beek, Justin Kluivert, David Neres.
A tremendous achievement for the youngster. Will the inexperience of the side prove problematic for Ajax? We'll see.
Keep your eyes on Kasper Dolberg
AFC Ajax wonderkid Dolberg has recently proved himself to be one of Europes most highly-rated young forwards.
The 19-year-old has cemented his position as a forward for the Dutch outfit, following his phenomenal display throughout the 2016/17 Eredivisie league. He started 37 games last season for Ajax, which included an impressive 23 goals and eight assists.
A youngster with obvious world-class ability has attracted attention from an array of big clubs – including Liverpool and Manchester City.
The Dane has the reputation of a clinical finisher, with the ability to always appear in the right place, at the right time. He oozes confidence for a youngster, which could prove pivotal in Ajax’s quest to secure silverware tonight.
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