Ajax vs Manchester United Match Preview

A fascinating Europa League final awaits us on Wednesday
night in Stockholm as Manchester United lock horns with
Ajax in the season finale.
Manchester United’s underwhelming domestic league
performance have cost them the targeted top 4 finish,
United need to win the finale to ensure they make the
Champions League next season.
Victory would ensure Jose Mourinho has had a very
encouraging season, including the Community Shield and
EFL Cup. Whilst there is also a long unbeaten run in the
Premier League to fall back on as well.
There is already talk of Manchester United holding back on
a contract extension and pay rise for the Special One, if
they fail to win in Stockholm.
Meanwhile, the Adidas shirt deal, finances for next season
and Manchester United player wages in 2017/2018 are all
affected by whether the Red Devils can add the Europa
League to their trophy cabinet.
Reasonable estimates suggest this game is worth at least
70 million pounds. Over 20 million pounds is down to
Adidas, another 50 million for simply playing Champions
League football.
But, more than anything, this game could bring Jose
Mourinho and Manchester United back to the Champions
League.
Young colts of Ajax
First off, it should be pointed out that Ajax also have plenty
to play for despite already securing a spot in the
Champions League.
Ajax are already in the 17/18 final Champions League play-
off – the round before the group stage – thanks to finishing
second in Holland.
Victory in the Europa League final ensures the winners go
straight into the group stage.
Ajax were in the Eredivisie title race right up until the last
weekend of the season and are a collection of very young
and talented players.
Ajax team news v Manchester United
Ajax have not played for 10 days, since they fielded the
youngest ever Eredivisie side against Willem II and won 3-1
away.
Peter Bosz has a full squad to choose from besides the
suspended Nick Viergever.
Every single Ajax player trained on Monday before the full
squad travel to Stockholm on Tuesday.
Daley Sinkgraven or Jairo Riedewald will replace Viergever
at left back. Sinkgraven is thought to be the most likely to
play by the Dutch press but he has been out with a knee
injury since April and only returned to training on Thursday.
Ajax team news
Ajax have not played for 10 days, since they fielded the
youngest ever Eredivisie side against Willem II and won 3-1
away.
Defender Nick Viergever is the one suspended.
Every single Ajax player trained on Monday before the full
squad travel to Stockholm on Tuesday.
Daley Sinkgraven or Jairo Riedewald will replace Viergever
at left back. Sinkgraven is thought to be the most likely to
play by the Dutch press but he has been out with a knee
injury since April and only returned to training on Thursday.
Manchester United team news
As the injuries have hit, Jose Mourinho has very clearly
shown the side he prefers to play in the crunch Europa
League games.
There are plenty of key players missing through long term
injury that could have expected to play in this one.
They include Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Marcos Rojo and Luke
Shaw. Eric Bailly is suspended. And, Sergio Romero is
Manchester United’s Europa League goalkeeper.
It is also not entirely clear how fit Paul Pogba is after he
scored and was then taken off before half-time against
Crystal Palace.
Ajax predicted starting XI
Onana – Veltman, De Ligt, Sanchez, Sinkgraven –
Klaassen, Schone, Ziyech – Younes, Dolberg, Traore.
Manchester United predicted starting XI
Romero – Valencia, Jones, Blind, Darmian – Herrera,
Fellaini, Pogba – Mkhitaryan, Rashford, Lingard.
Head to Head
Ajax and Manchester United faced each other previously
and both teams have won 2 and lost 2. Manchester United
was defeated 2-1 by Ajax the last time these two met in
2012.