Clinical: Ashley Young fires his shot beyond Vurnon Anita and into the Ajax net
For Sir Alex Ferguson, the return of a familiar feeling. After the difficulties of early winter in the Champions League, Ferguson and his Manchester United team departed icy Amsterdam with a victory behind them that was as straightforward as it was necessary.
This game will not be remembered for long. The Europa League is a competition that United should never really be in and modest opposition didn’t require them to overstretch themselves in the Amsterdam Arena.
A week on Sunday, United visit Norwich City for what could be a testing encounter. A week later they play Tottenham at White Hart Lane.This game will not be remembered for long. The Europa League is a competition that United should never really be in and modest opposition didn’t require them to overstretch themselves in the Amsterdam Arena.
Before those comes the second leg of this tie and Ferguson will know that he will be able to rest players. Last night, he was true to his word and fielded a strong team. Next week it will not be the same.
Ajax — sixth in their domestic league and still recovering from a boardroom dispute that has overshadowed much of what has happened in Dutch football recently — looked a very limited side.
Playing in front of terrific support and inside a packed stadium, Frank de Boer’s team were unable to threaten United with any consistency. It is hard to imagine them doing so at Old Trafford next week, no matter who Ferguson fields.
Game over: Javier Hernandez hails his goal
‘The first half was disappointing,’ he said. ‘It was difficult to get any rhythm and speed into the game. The second half we improved, and deserved to win. It’s a good result.’
Ultimately, they won on the back of two very good goals in the second half, both from players — Ashley Young and Javier Hernandez — who have much they would perhaps like to contribute after injury-interrupted seasons.
Up and running: Manchester United got their Europa League campaign off to the perfect start in Amsterdam
Soon after, Hernandez turned Toby Alderweireld to run clear and was denied by a well-timed block from Ajax keeper Kenneth Vermeer.
For the first time in the evening, United had begun to look really dangerous and it wasn’t long before they scored.
Having a go: Wayne Rooney tries to make it 3-0 with late, floated effort
High and wide: Toby Alderweireld forces Wayne Rooney to blast a shot off target
Ajax looked deflated. For the first hour they had been in the game but from hereon in looked dispirited.
Nani drove over in the 62nd minute and had another shot blocked as he looked set to curl the ball into the far corner.
Dangerman: Michael Carrick tracks Danish sensation Christian Eriksen
Aerial battle: Siem de Jong outjumps the Manchester United rearguard
The second goal came after Antonio Valencia won the ball in midfield to allow Wayne Rooney and Hernandez to combine, and the Mexican’s shot spun in off the goalkeeper. But the goal came at a cost, as Valencia — only on the pitch for 11 minutes — limped off after helping to set it up. Ferguson confirmed he had injured a hamstring and faces four weeks out.
Perhaps the stand-out moment for Ajax was in the 10th minute when Siem de Jong curled a shot towards David de Gea’s left-hand corner from distance. Given that Rio Ferdinand — otherwise excellent — ducked, De Gea perhaps didn’t see it until late but the Spaniard made good ground to turn the shot away.
Sent sprawling: Javier Hernandez feels the force of Kenneth Vermeer's challenge
Close attention: Rio Ferdinand fouls Miralem Sulejmani
With the scoreline level at the break, it looked as if United had weathered the best Ajax could throw at them. So it proved.
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