A Must Win Game for Manchester United

The 2016/17 UEFA Europa League will be contested between Ajax Amsterdam and Manchester United in the Friends Arena, Sweden.

Ajax of the Eredivisie in Holland will be aiming to win their second Europa League trophy whereas this is one the one trophy missing from the Manchester United cabinet.  The English Premier League club are desperate to add the Europa League to their role of honour, as it will also mean a place in the Champions League next season.

Having finished second in the Eredivisie this season, Ajax already have a place in the Champions League through their domestic achievement, which means they are under less pressure than their opponents coming into this match.

Ajax reached the Europa League final by coming top of their group, winning four and drawing two of their six matches.  Having reached the knockout stages, Ajax were involved in several close games, and won each of their four ties by a one goal margin.

Trends show they lost three of their four away games during the knockout rounds, to FC Copenhagen, Schalke and Lyon.  It was Ajax’s home results which kept in the competition and they won all seven of their home Europa League fixtures this season.

Manchester United did not have things all their own way in the group stages of the tournament.  Defeats at Feyenoord and Fenerbahce, the latter of which topped the group, meant Jose Mourinho’s team were forced to settle for second place.

However, trends show from November onwards Manchester United remained undefeated in the competition, reaching the final without losing a single game.  Five wins and three draws in the knockout stages was enough to see the Red Devils through to the final but they were given a scare at home by both Anderlecht and Celta Vigo.

Ajax will be encouraged by the fact Manchester United have been troubled by teams in the Europa League this season.  Rostov, Anderlecht and Celta Vigo all managed to draw with Mourinho’s men.

Looking at the team news and Ajax will be without the suspended Nick Viergever in defence, as he is suspended.  This could mean a start for 17-year-old Matthijs de Ligt at the heart of the Ajax defence.  Peter Bosz only has one injury concern but Daley Sinkgraven should be fit to take his place in the starting XI.

Manchester United will be without the suspended Eric Bailly in central defence.  With Marcos Rojo out and Chris Smalling struggling for fitness, Mourinho may be forced to pair Daley Blind with Phil Jones in central defence.  Paul Pogba will start in midfield, with Marcus Rashford and Henrikh Mkhitaryan further forward.

One thing is guaranteed in this game and that’s Manchester United will not come out to attack.  Instead, a clean sheet will be the priority, as Mourinho aims to frustrate the Ajax forwards.

Ajax have struggled when playing away from the Johan Cruijff ArenA and with Manchester United so tough to beat in the Europa League knockout stages, they must be favourites to pick up the win.  With under 2.5 goals in six of their last seven Europa League games, expect Manchester United to win and under 2.5 goals.