Preview: Ajax v Manchester United
United begin their UEFA Europa League campaign with a trip to the Amsterdam Arena.
Two of European football's most famous names meet in the UEFA Europa League round of 32 when Ajax and Manchester United will each look to bounce back from the disappointment of early UEFA Champions League elimination.
There are seven former tournament winners among the final 32, including Porto, in addition to five previous European champions, two of whom will face off in Amsterdam. United and Ajax have not met competitively since the 1976/77 UEFA Cup first round, when United prevailed 2-1 on aggregate, yet this is one of the few trophies Sir Alex Ferguson has still to lift – and his charges will be eager to change that statistic against the 1991/92 winners.
In their only meeting in Europe, Tommy Docherty's United prevailed 2-1 on aggregate against Tomislav Ivić's Ajax in the 1976/77 UEFA Cup first round. Ruud Krol scored the only goal in Amsterdam, but Lou Macari and Sammy McIlroy turned the tie around at Old Trafford.
In fact Ajax have a poor record against English teams in Europe in recent history. The Amsterdam club have not won in seven matches against English opposition (three draws, four defeats). Their last victory was against Nottingham Forest in the 1980/81 European Cup semi-finals, and even then the 1-0 scoreline still spelled aggregate defeat for Ajax.
Despite being hugely successful in the Champions League, Ferguson has not enjoyed success in the Europa League. All four of United's UEFA Cup games under Sir Alex ended in draws: two 0-0s followed by a shoot-out defeat against FC Torpedo Moskva in 1992/93, and a 0-0 and a 2-2 against Rotor two years later.
The second leg is on the 23rd February and the winners will go on to face Lokomotiv Moscow or Athletic Bilbao.
Comments (11)
3 months ago
Clive Bell
This is absolutely amazing i am in love.
This comment was removed by a moderator
3 months ago
Edin
man utd go go go !
3 months ago
Rob Madeley
looking forward to the match. as a united fan i will be hoping for a good result. havent seen channel fives coverage of europa league hope you guys do a great job.
3 months ago
jordan beyai
im going to that
3 months ago
Dan
time to show that we're still serious in europe. We still have a chance of playing barca at the end of this season if we win the comp. can only see city being our biggest rivals, unless porto decide to turn up.
3 months ago
sippy
i predict this match as man.utd3-1 ajax
3 months ago
jakky
Have a go lads ye can play with no pressure home game to come next week. remember we can play better away in the first leg and finish it off at old Trafford next week. Rooney now to be king of the Europa League.
3 months ago
bob
it is going 2 b united win for sure but they should b in the champions leage
3 months ago
m4nurul3
Looking forward to the match - kicks off in less than an hour! Come on United!!
3 months ago
Didymous
Why not in HD when advertised as such??