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
13 MINS
Younes flies down the left-side, before sending a delivery deep into the box. The cross only manages to locate the head of Pogba, who heads the ball out of the danger zone.
15 MINS
Younes skips past Herrera effortlessly, before pulling possession back to Traore inside of the area. The 21-year-old goes for goal, but it is a routine save from Romero from a tight angle.
18 MINS
GOAL
AJAX 0 - 1 MANCHESTER UNITED
Pogba has opened the scoring here at Friends Arena, with a goal that takes a lucky deflection off the leg of Sanchez.
Ajax loose possession from a throw-in, Fellaini then feeds Pogba on the edge of the area, who goes for goal and the strike deflects past Onana.
Game on!
21 MINS
This will be a real test of character now for the young and inexperienced Ajax team, but this fixture is far from over.
23 MINS
Veltman looks to charge down the right, but Mkhitaryan tracks back and pulls the 25-year-old to the ground. Free kick to Ajax.
24 MINS
Fellaini finds Valencia in space out wide, the skipper sprints past the defender effortlessly and goes for goal. The powerful strike is parried out by Onana.
27 MINS
Ajax have controlled 67% of possession, but so far their efforts have gone unrewarded. Aside from an early strike from Traore - it is has been a straight forward evening for the United defenders so far.
30 MINS
Yellow card: Mkhitaryan picks up the first booking of the final for a late challenge into the back of Veltman.
32 MINS
Rashford charges into the Ajax box with possession, but he is stopped in his tracks with a remarkable challenge from De Ligt.
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