With all the major leagues in European football over, we have at last, reached the finals of the Europa league. We have witnessed some breathtaking goals, some absolutely sturdy defensive performances, tactical master-class, costly errors and almost everything that a fan can ask for. with only the final left now, both the teams and their fans can gear themselves up for this big performances, as it is going to be one of the biggest matches of their career.
After some years of struggle in the Post- Ferguson Era, Manchester United have finally managed to reach the Final of the Europa League, under the guidance of new Manager Jose Mourinho. The manager had given up hope of finishing in the top 4 of the premier league in the last few weeks, and hence he had decided to give the Europa League full preference so as to qualify to the Champions league next season, a thinking that has almost paid dividends. However, they face a wonderful young Ajax side that is literally blowing away opposition with their mesmerizing attacking football and the brilliance of an extremely young bunch of players, who are showing surprising understanding of the game for their age. Therefore, with an exciting Ajax attack coming up against a defensively solid Manchester United outfit, as well as Champions league group stage places on the stake, this Europa league final has all the ingredients to be a cracking contest.
AFC AJAX VS MANCHESTER UNITED FC
3-Way: 1: AFC AJAX +362; X: +250 Draw; 2: MANCHESTER UNITED FC -114
Spread +0.5: AFC AJAX -100; MANCHESTER UNITED FC -115
Total +2.5: Over +121; Under -147
AFC AJAX
This season, Ajax has won over the supporters and neutrals alike. They have been ruthless in attack, while having a very settled and composed defense that can handle almost any threat thrown towards them with aplomb. However, all this fades away, when one looks at the players’ age in the Ajax Squad. The team is full of teenagers and players in their early 20s. Nevertheless, the Dutch club has shown the world that their academy, which has produced world class stars like Luis Suarez, Christian Eriksen, among others, still has the ability to produce wonderful young footballers who have managed to reach the Europa League finals after more than two decades in the club’s history.
Losing the Eredivisie title by just 1 point, Ajax will feel very disappointed. However, it is indeed worthy of praise that they managed to put up a strong title challenge with such a young squad. In fact, Ajax Boss Peter Bosz has put his full faith in the youth, which was shown by the fact that he named the youngest ever starting XI in Eredivisie history in their potential title deciding last match. The 11, averaging 20 years and 139 days, won at Willem II but couldn’t win the title as Feyenoord also managed to grab a win, and hence the title.
The Dutch club has been in decent form, with their current record over their last 5 matches in all competitions being 3-0-2. When it comes to the Europa League, they have been a bit wobbly of late. Of their last 6 qualifying matches against three teams, they have lost thrice. They have advanced only on aggregate in all three fixtures. Their last match was in the league against Willem II, who were defeated by the youngest starting 11 in the history of the Dutch League by 3:1.
Scoring goals in the Europa League competition hasn’t really been a problem for the Ajax side. They have scored a total of 24 goals in the Europa league with their being only one match where the Dtuch team weren’t able to score a goal; 0:0 against Legia Warsaw, back in February. Their defense has managed to keep out opponents at times but it is nowhere near to being impenetrable, as it has conceded 15 goals in 14 matches in the competition, keeping 6 clean sheets in the process.
It can be safe to say that Ajax has really able youngsters. Not just potential, but they have shown real maturity when it comes to decision making in crunch times in matches. Kasper Dolberg has scored 23 times in all competitions, while providing 8 assists. 6 of those goals and 1 assist, have come in the Europa league. These are very good numbers for any forward in the world, but keeping in mind that he is just 19 years old, one can realize the importance of these goals. Another highly productive player in the squad is Bertrand Traore. The Chelsea Loanee, who started the season in an inconsistent manner, has managed to score 4 goals and create 4 goals in the Europa League, including his vital brace against Lyon in the Semi-finals. Ajax legend Patrick Kluivert’s 17 year old son Justin Kluivert also plays as a wide midfielder in the team.
There aren’t many injury and suspension concerns for the Dutch Club. Centre Back Nick Viergever is suspended for the final due to accumulation of cards. Left back Daley Sinkgraven is in line to make a return from the Knee injury he suffered in April. There are no other concerns for Ajax.
MANCHESTER UNITED
This has been a frustrating season for the Old Trafford faithful. When the new manager was announced, fans rejoiced because even though he managed their rivals Chelsea earlier, they knew they were hiring a tactical genius in Jose Mourinho. However, their league journey hasn’t been as they would have expected. A decent start was followed by wobbles in the league, and even after going on an unbeaten run of more than 20 games, the Red Devils still found themselves at the 6th position. Because of this, the focus was shifted to winning the Europa League to get Champions League Qualification. As the final approaches, it remains to be seen what kind of tactics the Portuguese will deploy in Stockholm.
After finishing the league in 6th position, it seems that Mourinho has all his big guns well rested for the Europa League Final. After a disappointing first match in the competition, where the Red Devils lost to Feyenoord by 1:0, the team has been nearly perfect in the competition, with just 1 defeat in their journey to the final, which was in November against Fenerbahce by 2:1. The Red Devils haven’t really been in the best of forms lately. Their current record over the last 5 matches in all competitions is 1-2-2. It must be noted that the last 3 matches were played with weakened unit as Mourinho opted to give rest to his first choice players after a very packed season so that they can be fit for the final. Even after the last league match saw him field a very young, the youngsters managed to put in a decent performance, while debutant Josh Harrop scored in the 2-0 win.
Their last match in the Europa League was a 1:1 draw against Celta Vigo, where they were saved by a Fellaini headed goal. The Red Devils have been very good in the competition. They are unbeaten at home, with only one of the 7 home European matches being a draw, i.e. their last match against Celta. They have scored 23 goals in 14 matches in the competition, with 16 of those coming at Old Trafford. They have had a pretty solid defense, as you will expect from a Jose Mourinho side, with just 8 goals conceded. Only 3 of those have been conceded in front of the home fans, and an impressive 8 clean sheets kept in the Europa league.
Zlatan Ibrahimovic has been their best player in the competition, but he won’t be able to regain fitness in time for the game, even though he has already started light walking after just 4 weeks of his ACL damage. After him, it is summer signing Henrikh Mkhitaryan who has brought goals for the Red Devils in the Europa League. He has scored 5 goals in 10 matches. Mourinho will hope that record signing Paul Pogba will put in another accomplished performance in the middle of the park as we have started to see of him late, especially in the last match in the league, where he created an assist and scored a goal in the brief time that he was on the pitch.
Apart from Zlatan, Marcos Rojo, Luke Shaw, and Ashley Young, are all injured for the rest of the season and will only be seen at the start of the next campaign at the earliest. Belgian Midfielder Fellaini, who has been selected by Mourinho in many important matches, will probably miss the match with an Ankle injury, and hence, make way for veteran Michael Carrick. Juan Mata and Chris Smalling are also doubts for this match, although they will probably be fit enough to be a part of the squad.
MY PREDICTION:
This match is definitely going to be a very exciting watch. Ajax face Manchester United in a competitive match for the first time since 2012. Ajax has been ruthless at home on their way to the final, winning 7 of 7, but that advantage will be nullified as they play in Sweden.
On the other hand, United is unbeaten in their last 10 Europa league games, but haven’t really dominated many matches, as they were rather fortunate to come away safe from the Celta Vigo match only due to some absolutely callous finishing, especially by former Man City striker John Guidetti for Celta Vigo.
Not only Ajax, but Mourinho also has some incredibly talented youngsters in his squad like Marcus Rashford, who is the first choice striker after Zlatan’s injury. Manchester United hasn’t really been efficient in converting chances, and they still tend to make a few mistakes in the matches. Against a young, but fully capable Ajax side, that will be very costly.
When all is said and done, I think that Manchester United will barely escape with a victory as I expect the Dutch side to be a true test for Jose Mourinhos unit. The total should be topped with a possible 2:1 final score!!!
MY PICK: Manchester United (-114)
Total: Over 2.5 goals (+121)
