Played
February 23, 2012 8:05 p.m. GMT
Old Trafford — Manchester
Referee:‬ D. Skomina‎
Attendance:‬ 67328‎
 

Manchester United - Ajax Preview: Sir Alex Ferguson's side have lost just two European home matches since 2001

Red Devils bidding to reach the last-16 of the Europa League after beating the Dutch side 2-0 in Amsterdam a week ago, but expect the Premier League side to rest key players

By Ryan Benson

More On :  Ajax, Manchester United, Manchester United vs Ajax
UEFA Europa League Chicharito Hernandez vs Ajax
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 PROBABLE LINEUPS

MANCHESTER UNITED

De Gea
Rafael, Jones, Smalling, Fabio
Park, Cleverley, Scholes, Young
Berbatov, Hernandez
AJAX
 
Vermeer
Van Rhijn, Alderweireld, Vertonghen, Koppers
De Jong, Eriksen, Anita
Ozbiliz, Lodeiro, Sulejmani

With Manchester United facing a potentially tricky trip to Norwich City just two days after facing Ajax, Sir Alex Ferguson looks likely to rest several key players with the Red Devils already 2-0 up.

Although Ferguson may rest players, he also has his fair share of injuries to think about. Antonio Valencia (hamstring), Anders Lindegaard (ankle), Anderson (knock), Nemanja Vidic (knee), Darren Fletcher (bowel condition) and Michael Owen (thigh) are all out while.

However, Ryan Giggs (ankle) and Dimitar Berbatov (knock) may be able to return after missing last week’s first leg.

The visitors, as they did last week, have a number of injury issues themselves. Derk Boerrigter (back), Gregory van der Wiel (groin), Eyong Enoh (hamstring), Nicolai Boilesen (hamstring), Dmitry Bulykin (calf), Theo Janssen (groin) and Kolbeinn Sigthorsson (tibia/leg injury) will all miss the game due to injury.

However, experienced defender Andre Ooijer has been included in the match squad, and is expected to start from the bench.


 DID YOU KNOW?
  • The last time Manchester United won the first-leg of a European tie and were knocked out came in 2007 as they defeated AC Milan 3-2 at Old Trafford, before an injury-ravaged side lost 3-0 in Italy.
  • Paul Pogba (pictured right) will make his European debut if he features at any point.
  • United haven’t lost any of their last 11 home European matches. Their last home loss was against Besiktas in November 2009.
  • They have lost just two home matches in Europe since losing to Deportivo La Coruna in October 2001.
  • Ajax have lost just five of their last 20 away Europa League matches, but have only won four of their last away matches in the Champions League.
  • Of their 13 goals so far in Europe this season, five of United’s have been scored in the final 15 minutes of matches.
  • Reported United target Christian Eriksen currently leads Ajax’s assist chart this season with 11.
  • If he features, Ryan Giggs will make his 900th appearances for United.


Field Report
Reader's Predictions
Top 3 Predictions
  • Manchester United 3-0 Ajax
    37.07 %
  • Manchester United 2-0 Ajax
    13.75 %
  • Manchester United 3-1 Ajax
    13.4 %
Head to Head
UEFA Europa League ‎(EL)‎ 23 Feb 2012 Manchester United 1 - Ajax 2
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UEFA Europa League ‎(EL)‎ 16 Feb 2012 Ajax 0 - Manchester United 2
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Last Five Matches
Manchester United
13 May 2012Sunderland 0 - Manchester United 1EPL
6 May 2012Manchester United 2 - Swansea City 0EPL
30 Apr 2012Manchester City 1 - Manchester United 0EPL
22 Apr 2012Manchester United 4 - Everton 4EPL
15 Apr 2012Manchester United 4 - Aston Villa 0EPL
Ajax
6 May 2012Vitesse 1 - Ajax 3ERE
2 May 2012Ajax 2 - VVV-Venlo 0ERE
29 Apr 2012FC Twente 1 - Ajax 2ERE
22 Apr 2012Ajax 2 - FC Groningen 0ERE
15 Apr 2012Ajax 3 - De Graafschap 1ERE
Odds
Returns: Man. United £44.00 WilliamHill Sign up with William Hill for a free bet up to £25
Returns: Draw £46.50 188bet Sign up with 188BET for a FREE bet up to £25 – Great Prices, Every Game
Returns: Ajax £85.00 WilliamHill Sign up with William Hill for a free bet up to £25
Team News
Available Squads
1David de GeaGoalkeeper
4Phil JonesDefender
12Chris SmallingDefender
20Fabio Da SilvaDefender
21Rafael SilvaMidfielder
13Ji-Sung ParkMidfielder
17NaniMidfielder
18Ashley YoungMidfielder
23Tom CleverleyMidfielder
14ChicharitoStriker
9Dimitar BerbatovStriker
40Ben AmosGoalkeeper
6Jonny EvansDefender
3Patrice EvraDefender
16Michael CarrickMidfielder
22Paul ScholesMidfielder
11Ryan GiggsMidfielder
19Danny WelbeckStriker
1Kenneth VermeerGoalkeeper
3Toby AlderweireldDefender
4Jan VertonghenDefender
5Vurnon AnitaDefender
34Ricardo van RhijnStriker
35Dico KoppersDefender
8Christian EriksenMidfielder
10Siem de JongMidfielder
18Nicolás LodeiroMidfielder
7Miralem SulejmaniStriker
23Aras ÖzbilizStriker
22Jasper CillessenGoalkeeper
17Daley BlindDefender
13André OoijerDefender
22Ismail AissatiMidfielder
39Davy KlaassenMidfielder
25Thulani SereroStriker
11Lorenzo EbecilioStriker
Results
ALL MATCHES >>
 
Top Scorers
Player   Goals Penalties
Klaas-Jan Huntelaar Klaas-Jan Huntelaar
Striker
Schalke 		14 3
Radamel Falcao Radamel Falcao
Striker
Atl. Madrid 		12 1
Adrián Adrián
Striker
Atl. Madrid 		10 0
Fernando Llorente Torres Fernando Llorente Torres
Striker
Bilbao 		7 2
Jonatan Ezequiel Cristaldo Jonatan Ezequiel Cristaldo
Striker
Metalist 		7 0