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Played
February 16, 2012 6:00 PM GMT
Amsterdam ArenA — Amsterdam
Referee: G. Rocchi
Attendance: 48966
February 16, 2012 6:00 PM GMT
Amsterdam ArenA — Amsterdam
Referee: G. Rocchi
Attendance: 48966
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| Ajax | 4.50 | 29.00 | 4.33 | 61.00 | 4.33 | 4.00 | 50.00 | 4.10 | 4.00 |
| Draw | 3.50 | 5.00 | 3.60 | 6.50 | 3.50 | 3.50 | 8.00 | 3.55 | 3.50 |
| Manchester United | 1.80 | 1.12 | 1.78 | 1.12 | 1.83 | 1.91 | 1.06 | 1.90 | 1.85 |
Top of the Match
Ashley Young
Manchester United
Manchester United
David de Gea
Manchester United
Manchester United
Flop of the Match
Dmitri Bulykin
Ajax
Ajax
Siem de Jong
Ajax
Ajax
Goal.com Rating 
Fans' Rating Ajax 0-2 Manchester United: Ashley Young & Javier Hernandez on target to put Ferguson's men in control of tie
The attacking duo's second half goals give the Red Devils a commanding Europa League advantage, with the Dutch side set to line up at Old Trafford in a week's time
By Jay Jaffa
Second-half goals from Ashley Young and Javier Hernandez put Manchester United into a commanding position with a 2-0 victory over Ajax in the first leg of their Europa League knockout clash.
United returned to a competition they last set foot in 17 years ago, emerging with a positive result against one of Europe's great clubs, as Young and Hernandez took the plaudits.
The cauldron of noise that awaited Sir Alex Ferguson's team signified the value placed upon the Europa League by the home side but nobody would suspect the United manager of a casual approach judging the strength of the Manchester club's starting XI.
Tom Cleverley returned to the United midfield, while Phil Jones, Jonny Evans, Rio Ferdinand and Fabio da Silva lined up in defence.
Ajax boasted a youthful side, with 32-year-old striker Dmitri Bulykin the only player to start for the Eredivisie champions who was above 24.
The game got off to an inauspicious start as both sides tentatively played their way into the occasion. Such caution meant the first real chance didn't arrive until the 17th minute.
Jonny Evans' intercepted pass was picked up on by Dico Koppers. His run towards goal was tracked by Nani and although the Dutchmen got his shot off, it lacked conviction and was gathered with ease by David de Gea.
This sparked United into some form of response and Rooney led the charge a minute later, striking a tame effort from 20 yards at Kenneth Vermeer. Hernandez then wandered alone into the box but could not reach the ball before the stopper.
Both sides continued to probe and as Da Silva blocked an Aras Ozbiliz volley at one end, Nani blazed wildly over the bar when in a promising wide position at the other.
The best chance of the half fell to Ajax wonderkid Siem de Jong who found room to deliver a hammer of a right-footed strike from range. The 25-yard effort looked to be arching its way into De Gea's top-left corner and would have done but for the full-length dive and save the Spaniard produced.
A header by De Jong and a Cleverley strike, that both sailed over their opposing crossbars, were the remaining chances of a half that closed with a penalty shout.
Rio Ferdinand's outstretched leg tempted Miralem Sulejmani to go down on the corner of the penalty box but referee Gianluca Rossi opted to ignore the home fans appeals as he waved play on. Replays showed the official made the correct decision.
The first half was arguably dominated more by the home side but United emerged with a devilish intent in the second as Nani saw his near-post shot tipped over by an alert Vermeer.
With the home fans serenading their side to the tune of Bob Marley's “Three Little Birds”, Ferguson's rejuvenated United continued to exert pressure on the hosts.
A flowing United move just five minutes after the break led to Rooney's pass into Hernandez on the edge of the Ajax area. The Mexican showed nimble footwork to control and turn, but as he attempted to round Vermeer he found himself foiled by a plunging save.
On the hour mark, the dominance told and the deadlock was broken.
Nani showed excellent desire to get to a loose ball on the right flank before skipping over one challenge and rifling the ball low across goal. A slight deflection nudged the ball to the back post where Young awaited.
The winger collected the ball before jinking inside Vurnon Anita and firing low past Vermeer and a host of defenders who had retreated to the goal-line. It was nothing less than United deserved following an impressive second period.
Ajax almost hit back immediately through Ozbiliz but his left footed strike rose just over De Gea's bar.
This led to a flurry of substitutions as Bulykin and Koppers were replaced by Ricardo Van Rhijn and Nicolai Boilesen with a number of positional changes undertaken by the Dutch side.
Though United continued to look more threatening – once again coming close through Nani – Ajax began to pose more of a danger than at any time in the second half.
Eriksen led a charge from the half way line, out-muscling Jones and driving towards the United goal. His shot from the left side of the box was struck well but directly at De Gea, who chose to punch to safety.
But as Ajax pushed on, United broke swiftly to seal victory.
Substitute Antonio Valencia drove at the heart of the home team's defence, flicking the ball left to Rooney who squared it to his strike partner Hernandez. Entering the penalty box, the Mexican made no mistake, tucking his shot past Vermeer to seal victory.
Sulejmani threatened to keep the tie alive in the closing minutes but his attempted chip was poorly executed.
The two United away goals give them the perfect platform to press on in the only major competition Ferguson has yet to win in his 25 years at Old Trafford.
Additionally the clean sheet will be most welcome given the eight goals Ferguson's side conceded in their failed Champions League group stage.
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United returned to a competition they last set foot in 17 years ago, emerging with a positive result against one of Europe's great clubs, as Young and Hernandez took the plaudits.
The cauldron of noise that awaited Sir Alex Ferguson's team signified the value placed upon the Europa League by the home side but nobody would suspect the United manager of a casual approach judging the strength of the Manchester club's starting XI.
Tom Cleverley returned to the United midfield, while Phil Jones, Jonny Evans, Rio Ferdinand and Fabio da Silva lined up in defence.
Ajax boasted a youthful side, with 32-year-old striker Dmitri Bulykin the only player to start for the Eredivisie champions who was above 24.
The game got off to an inauspicious start as both sides tentatively played their way into the occasion. Such caution meant the first real chance didn't arrive until the 17th minute.
Jonny Evans' intercepted pass was picked up on by Dico Koppers. His run towards goal was tracked by Nani and although the Dutchmen got his shot off, it lacked conviction and was gathered with ease by David de Gea.
This sparked United into some form of response and Rooney led the charge a minute later, striking a tame effort from 20 yards at Kenneth Vermeer. Hernandez then wandered alone into the box but could not reach the ball before the stopper.
Both sides continued to probe and as Da Silva blocked an Aras Ozbiliz volley at one end, Nani blazed wildly over the bar when in a promising wide position at the other.
The best chance of the half fell to Ajax wonderkid Siem de Jong who found room to deliver a hammer of a right-footed strike from range. The 25-yard effort looked to be arching its way into De Gea's top-left corner and would have done but for the full-length dive and save the Spaniard produced.
A header by De Jong and a Cleverley strike, that both sailed over their opposing crossbars, were the remaining chances of a half that closed with a penalty shout.
Rio Ferdinand's outstretched leg tempted Miralem Sulejmani to go down on the corner of the penalty box but referee Gianluca Rossi opted to ignore the home fans appeals as he waved play on. Replays showed the official made the correct decision.
The first half was arguably dominated more by the home side but United emerged with a devilish intent in the second as Nani saw his near-post shot tipped over by an alert Vermeer.
With the home fans serenading their side to the tune of Bob Marley's “Three Little Birds”, Ferguson's rejuvenated United continued to exert pressure on the hosts.
A flowing United move just five minutes after the break led to Rooney's pass into Hernandez on the edge of the Ajax area. The Mexican showed nimble footwork to control and turn, but as he attempted to round Vermeer he found himself foiled by a plunging save.
On the hour mark, the dominance told and the deadlock was broken.
Nani showed excellent desire to get to a loose ball on the right flank before skipping over one challenge and rifling the ball low across goal. A slight deflection nudged the ball to the back post where Young awaited.
The winger collected the ball before jinking inside Vurnon Anita and firing low past Vermeer and a host of defenders who had retreated to the goal-line. It was nothing less than United deserved following an impressive second period.
Ajax almost hit back immediately through Ozbiliz but his left footed strike rose just over De Gea's bar.
This led to a flurry of substitutions as Bulykin and Koppers were replaced by Ricardo Van Rhijn and Nicolai Boilesen with a number of positional changes undertaken by the Dutch side.
Though United continued to look more threatening – once again coming close through Nani – Ajax began to pose more of a danger than at any time in the second half.
Eriksen led a charge from the half way line, out-muscling Jones and driving towards the United goal. His shot from the left side of the box was struck well but directly at De Gea, who chose to punch to safety.
But as Ajax pushed on, United broke swiftly to seal victory.
Substitute Antonio Valencia drove at the heart of the home team's defence, flicking the ball left to Rooney who squared it to his strike partner Hernandez. Entering the penalty box, the Mexican made no mistake, tucking his shot past Vermeer to seal victory.
Sulejmani threatened to keep the tie alive in the closing minutes but his attempted chip was poorly executed.
The two United away goals give them the perfect platform to press on in the only major competition Ferguson has yet to win in his 25 years at Old Trafford.
Additionally the clean sheet will be most welcome given the eight goals Ferguson's side conceded in their failed Champions League group stage.
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Goal
Own Goal
Penalty
Penalty Missed
Yellow Card
Assist
Penalty Save
Penalty Shootout Goal
Penalty Shootout Miss
Yellow Card / Red Card
Red Card
Substitution IN
Substitution OUT
Injury
Goal.com Rating
Goal.com Man of the Match
Goal.com Flop of the Match
Top & Flop Global Ranking
Fans' Man of the Match- Fans' Flop of the Match
Results
Times In GMT
Match News
Top Scorers
| Player | Goals | Penalties | |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Klaas-Jan Huntelaar
Striker Schalke |
14 | 3 |
|
Radamel Falcao
Striker Atlético Madrid |
12 | 1 |
|
Adrián
Striker Atlético Madrid |
10 | 0 |
|
Fernando Llorente Torres
Striker Bilbao |
7 | 2 |
|
Jonatan Ezequiel Cristaldo
Striker Metalist Kharki |
7 | 0 |
