Our Europa League final guide for Ajax v Manchester United includes betting tips, team news, odds, statistics, roads to Stockholm and past meetings.
By Scott Francis
Manchester United face Ajax in Wednesday night's Europa League final seeking not only their second trophy of the season but also a place in next season's Champions League.
A disappointing sixth-placed finish in the Premier League means Jose Mourinho's side must beat the Dutch outfit in Stockholm if they are to join Chelsea, Tottenham, Manchester City and Liverpool as England's fifth representative in Europe's most prestigious competition.
We take a look at both sides' roads to the Friends Arena, the latest Sky Bet odds, previous meetings and club connections while the team news, our betting tips and essential opta stats will also appear here.
Europa League Final Special Contents
1. When and where to watch
2. Sky Bet Odds & Betting tips
3. Roads to Stockholm
4. Ajax & Man United past meetings
5. Club connections
6. Ajax focus
7. Ajax v Manchester United team news
8. Opta Statistics
When is the Europa League final and what channel is it on?
The Europa League final kicks-off at 1945 BST on Wednesday May 24 and will be screened on BT Sport 2. The channel will be made free to Sky subscribers on the night, while the match will also be free-to-air on the BT Sport Showcase channel which is available on Freeview and Virgin services.
It is also being shown online via the BT Sport website, app and YouTube channel.
Betting tips
1pt Ajax to beat Man Utd at 19/5 – prices aren’t giving this attacking force enough respect
Manchester United are odds-on across the board to win Wednesday’s Europa League final in 90 minutes but the market does not appear be giving enough respect to their Dutch opponents, writes Andy Schooler.
Ajax’s current generation is very much engrained with the club’s long-standing tradition of attacking, attractive football, largely played on the deck in a 4-3-3 formation.
Anyone who saw their home demolitions of Lyon and Schalke in the two previous rounds cannot fail to have been impressed – both games could easily have been won by wider margins – and their energetic approach certainly has the potential to cause United problems.
Their starting XI is set to have an average age of just 22 but these players still have plenty of experience under their belts. That said, this is the first final at this level for them – one which comes 22 years to the day since the club’s previous European triumph (over Milan in the Champions League).
Concerns over Ajax’s chances centre around their defensive record which can be summed up by a couple of key facts.
They have conceded almost twice the number of goals in this competition this season than United (15 to eight), while they have managed to keep just two clean sheets in their last 12 games.
United will look to exploit that deficiency – the bookies clearly feel they can – but putting teams away has been their issue all season with not enough goals in the team. Despite his social-media teasing, Zlatan Ibrahimovic surely won’t be on the field in Stockholm and that will leave much resting on the shoulders of Marcus Rashford.
The England youngster’s pace is a real asset for United and it will be no surprise if Jose Mourinho, ever the pragmatist, sets his side up to thwart Ajax’s forward strength and look to hit them on the break where they have been shown to be vulnerable.
A repeat of their semi-final effort in Vigo may be good enough to get the job done. United were highly professional that night and restricted the hosts extremely well. Yet the second leg of that tie summed up their unreliability this season and they can consider themselves fortunate to have reached the final after a horror miss by the visitors in the last minute of that tie which would have put United out.
They will also be missing one of their better players this season, Eric Bailly, due to suspension and since that semi-final Mourinho’s approach to virtually everything has only served to heap more pressure on his remaining players.
All the eggs were placed in the Europa League basket as United effectively threw in the towel in the chase for a top-four Premier League finish.
All the focus in his media duties has been on this game too. Everyone is fully aware that Champions League football next season – surely a minimum for Mourinho at the start of his tenure – now rests on this contest.
In days gone by I wouldn’t have been concerned by that. Roy Keane’s approach would have been ‘pressure, what pressure?’ but with the current crop I’m not so sure.
To me, it just seems like the prices are weighted too heavily in United’s favour and at anything north of 7/2, Ajax look worth a nibble.
However, the best bet on the night looks to be in the sub-markets where there’s a real chance to take advantage of Ajax’s attacking prowess.
Specifically it’s the corner market I’m turning to where Ajax are offered at 15/8 (BetVictor) to have more than United.
That looks big indeed.
Of the two sides, Ajax are clearly the one with the width and the tendency to get to the byline where crosses can be blocked or headed out for corners.
Amin Younes does this very well down the left, ably assisted by Hakim Ziyech. On the opposing flank, Bertrand Traore will cause problems, as will goalscoring captain Davy Klaasen.
In contrast, there’s little natural width in the current United side.
Stats work in the bet’s favour too.
Ajax have had more corners than their opponents in nine of their last 12 games, including three of their four previous Europa games against Lyon and Schalke. Interestingly they were 11-4 corner winners in the first leg against the Germans (a game they dominated) but also ‘won’ 10-2 in the reverse fixture in which they were outplayed for long periods.
United’s corner stats show they’ve failed to match their opponents’ tally in seven of their last 12 matches. They include away to Manchester City where they set out to contain, while their blanket approach to Liverpool away earlier in the campaign also resulted in them losing the corner count.
While I’m not expecting them to be so negative in this one, I still feel these games offer some relevance given the way United could set up here.
The biggest danger to the bet could come from Rashford’s pace – there may need to be interventions from defenders and keeper if United are able to play incisive passes to him - but I’m still more than happy to support the Dutch in this market at such a price.
Prediction: Ajax 2-1 Man Utd
Posted at 1535 BST on 23/05/17.
RequestABet
Both our tipping team and Sky Sports pundit Charlie Nicholas have created their own bet via the RequestABet service of our betting partners Sky Bet.
Click here to see what they are backing in the big game.
Sky Bet odds
Manchester United are favourites at 2/7 to lift their second trophy of the season in Stockholm on Wednesday night.
Sky Bet make Ajax 7/4 to win their first European competition since the 1995 Champions League - although it's 18/5 they do so in normal time.
Jose Mourinho's side are 17/10 to triumph in 90 minutes while the draw is priced at 5/2.
If you think the showdown will go the full distance, then you can back either side to win on penalties at 11/2 - or 12/1 if you specify which team - while it's 11/2 that victory is sealed in extra-time.
Marcus Rashford and Wayne Rooney are the joint favourites at 9/2 to open the scoring, with Henrikh Mkhitaryan next at 11/2, while Ajax's best hope in this market is Kasper Dolberg at 6/1.
Click here to check out all of Sky Bet's Europa League final odds!
Roads to Stockholm
AJAX
Group Stage
Panathinaikos 1-2 Ajax
Ajax 1-0 Standard Liege
Celta 2-2 Ajax
Ajax 2-0 Panathinaikos
Standard Liege 1-1 Ajax
Knockout Stage
Legia 0-0 Ajax (Round of 32, 1st leg)
Ajax 1-0 Legia (Round of 32, 2nd leg)
Copenhagen 2-1 Ajax (Round of 16, 1st leg)
Ajax 2-0 Copenhagen (Round of 16, 2nd leg)
Ajax 2-0 Schalke (QF, 1st leg)
Schalke 3-2 Ajax (QF, 2nd leg)
Ajax 4-1 Lyon (SF, 1st leg)
Lyon 3-1 Ajax (SF, 2nd leg)
MANCHESTER UNITED
Group Stage
Feyenoord 1-0 Manchester United
Manchester United 1-0 Zorya
Manchester United 4-1 Fenerbahce
Fenerbahce 2-1 Manchester United
Manchester United 4-0 Feyenoord
Zorya 0-2 Manchester United
Knockout Stage
Man United 3-0 St-Etienne (Round of 32, 1st leg)
St-Etienne 0-1 Man United (Round of 32, 2nd leg)
Rostov 1-1 Man United (Round of 16, 1st leg)
Man United 1-0 Rostov (Round of 32, 2nd leg)
Anderlecht 1-1 Man United (QF, 1st leg)
Man United 2-1 Anderlecht (QF, 2nd leg)
Celta Vigo 0-1 Man United (SF, 1st leg)
Man United 1-1 Celta Vigo (SF, 2nd leg)
Past meetings
Ajax 1-0 Manchester United: 1976/77 UEFA Cup First Round 1st leg
It was a left-back by the name of Ruud Krol who was the match winner that night against the Red Devils. The goal came from the typical ‘total football’ style made famous by the Dutch, the tikka-taka football ran Manchester United ragged giving Krol the space to made his bursting run. His right-footed strike was magnificent and gave the goalkeeper absolutely no chance to stop it nestling in the corner of the net.
Manchester United 2-0 Ajax: 1976/77 UEFA Cup First Round 2nd leg
The opening goal which brought Manchester United level came from Belfast lad Sammy McIlroy and it was a scrappy start. Ajax failed to clear a free-kick which led to a long-range attempt, the goalkeeper palmed the ball to the Northern Irishman’s feet and he tapped it home. The second and winning goal which sent the Reds through was much more in the style of the Dutch, their passing football led to Lou Macari being in front of an open goal which resulted in a simple finish.
Ajax 0-2 Manchester United: 2011/12 UEFA Europa League Round of 32 1st leg
It was a professional job from Alex Ferguson’s men, a ball from the right-wing found Ashley Young on the left of the box. He dropped the shoulder leaving Ajax defenders on the seat of their pants, the Englishman coolly finished into the bottom left corner. From a similar move Javier Hernandez finished the game off, Wayne Rooney from the wing put the ball on a plate for the Mexican who slotted home from close range.
Manchester United 1-2 Ajax: 2011/12 UEFA Europa League Round of 32 2nd leg
Goal poacher Javier Hernandez opened the scoring in this game, a defence splitting pass found the striker in the centre of the box which allowed him to shift the ball onto his left-foot to tuck the ball into the net. However, Ajax would not go down without a fight as Aras Ozbiliz showed when he drove a left foot strike past David De Gea, a shot you’d expect him to save this season. A familiar face scored the winner that night, even though it was not enough to send them through, Toby Alderweireld was unmarked when he headed in from close range from a free-kick.
Club connections
There is a shared history these two clubs that extends beyond them both being dominant in their respective domestic leagues. A number of players have crossed the Anglo-Dutch divide to play for both Ajax and Manchester United in their careers. As you’d expect most of the players to play for both have achieved glory whether playing in Amsterdam or Manchester.
Edwin Van Der Saar (Ajax 1990-1999, Manchester United 2005-2011)
The Dutch goalkeeper is obviously a Manchester United legend, but his taste for silverware began at Ajax. A quick look at his trophy haul at the Amsterdam club shows you how pivotal he was, 4 league titles, three Dutch Cups, two Johan Cruyff Shield’s, one Champions League, one UEFA Cup, one UEFA Super Cup and an Intercontinental Cup. Oh and he scored a penalty in a 9-1 victory for the club, simply extraordinary. However, eventually he made his way to Old Trafford via Juventus and Fulham and not satisfied with his previous success he established himself as Manchester United’s best ever goalkeeper, only second to Peter Schmeichel and that could be debated. Van Der Saar added four Premier League medals, two League Cups, three Community Shields, one Champions League and the Club World Cup to his collection. His save against Nicolas Anelka in the 2008 Champions League Final ensured the trophy went back to Manchester.
Jaap Stam (Manchester United 1998-2001, Ajax 2006-2007)
The rock-hard Dutch centre-back found unprecedented success during his time at Old Trafford, despite a falling out with Alex Ferguson that saw him leave the club there were many fond memories for Stam. After joining from PSV Eindhoven Stam went onto establish himself as not only one of the best defenders to play for the Red Devils, but one of the best in the world. He managed to win three Premier League titles, one FA Cup, one Intercontinental Cup and a Champions League, of course being part of the famous 1999 treble. Ajax were the final club Stam played for in his illustrious career, only staying for one year but that did not stop him picking up silverware. He bagged a KNVB Cup and two Johan Cruyff Shield’s showing the world he still had it on his return to his homeland.
Zlatan Ibrahimovic (Ajax 2001-2004, Manchester United 2016-)
Zlatan had success at Ajax, just like Zlatan has success no matter where he has been on his long and winding career. During his 35-goal spell with the Dutch club he won two Eredivisie titles, the KNVB Cup and a Johan Cruyff Shield but his time in Amsterdam ended in controversy. During an international match then team mate Rafael Van der Vaart accused Ibrahimovic of injuring him on purpose, leading to the Swedes departure from the club. After travelling all over Europe winning trophies wherever he went, he finally ended up in the Premier League with Manchester United. Despite the club not having a great season by his standards he has had a great impact, such as scoring the winner in the EFL Cup final. Will he be back with the club next season after recovering from injury? The fans will hope so.
Daley Blind (Ajax 2008-2014, Manchester United 2014-)
Daley Blind is still plying his trade at Old Trafford and despite not having blistering talent he has become pivotal for Manchester United. Need a midfielder, left-back or centre-back then you need Blind, unlike many he can slot into many positions and give a good account of himself. His hard work and commitment has seen him win an FA Cup, EFL Cup and a Community Shield during his time with the Red Devils, but that is no match for his trophy haul with Ajax. During his time in Holland he won four league titles and a Johan Cruyff Shield, a European Cup might just be enough to top these achievements. There is a reason Blind was named Dutch Player of the Year during his Ajax spell and he’ll get a warm reception from his former clubs’ fans.
Jesper Olsen (Ajax 1981-1984, Manchester United 1984-1988)
If you don’t remember the name you’ll remember his ‘passed penalty’ with Johan Cruyff, the same tactic Thierry Henry and Robert Pires failed to do. Olsen earned the nickname De Vio (The Flea) due to his ability to ride tackles, in comparison to others on this list he didn’t win much at Ajax or Manchester United but he was regarded as one of the most talented. He managed to bag one Eredivisie title and a Dutch Cup in Holland and just one FA Cup with Manchester United. Jesper did struggle in manager, having a bust up with his team mate which saw him transfer listed but the arrival of Alex Ferguson saw him stay for two more years. His development stagnated and he probably didn’t become the player he could have.
Arnold Muhren (Ajax 1971-1974, 1985-1989, Manchester United 1982-1985)
A player looked upon fondly by Ajax and Ipswich fans alike, maybe not so much Manchester United fans. In his two spells with Ajax he won two league titles, three Dutch Cups, one European Cup, one UEFA Super Cup, one UEFA Cup Winners’ Cup and the Intercontinental Cup. Not a bad trophy haul. Muhren made his way to Manchester United via Twente and Ipswich but could not repeat his success at Ajax. He only managed to win two FA Cups with the Red Devils. When his time at Old Trafford came to an end he made his way back home and finished his career at Ajax.
Ajax Focus
EUROPEAN RECORD
Ajax are giants of the continental game, yet this is the Dutch club's first major European final since finishing runners-up in the 1996 Champions League. Their young, talent-filled side won the competition the previous year - their fourth European Cup victory. Ajax have previously also won the UEFA Cup and the European Cup Winners' Cup, as well as the Club World Cup in its previous guise as the Intercontinental Cup. Bayern Munich and Juventus are the only other sides to have won the same collection of trophies - and United will join that elite group should they triumph on Wednesday.
FORM
Unlike United, the Amsterdam outfit have been able to rest and focus on the Europa League final since May 14. Ajax ended their domestic campaign with a 3-1 win at Willem II, seeing them finish second in the Eredivisie to Feyenoord - the side United's Europa League campaign began against in September. On the continental front, Ajax lost to Rostov in the Champions League play-offs before topping their Europa League group and going on to knock out Legia Warsaw, FC Copenhagen, Schalke and Lyon.
MANAGER
Peter Bosz took the reins at Ajax last summer, replacing Frank de Boer. A former defensive midfielder, the 53-year-old managed Heracles and Vitesse Arnhem in Holland before briefly coaching Maccabi Tel Aviv. Bosz, a huge admirer of the late Johan Cruyff, is an attack-minded coach and charges his players with regaining possession within five seconds.
KEY MEN
Ajax are a young, talented group built on collective effort rather than standout names. Bosz's defence looks set to include precocious 17-year-old Matthijs de Ligt, while 19-year-old Kasper Dolberg has netted six goals in the run to the final. Davy Klaassen, 24, is Ajax's captain and fellow midfielder Lasse Schone could be the only member of the starting line-up over the age of 25. Chelsea loanee Bertrand Traore and Justin Kluivert - son of Patrick - are others in the squad.
Ajax v Manchester United team news
Manchester United (provisional squad): Romero, De Gea, Pereira, Valencia, Tuanzebe, Fosu-Mensah, Jones, Mitchell, Smalling, Darmian, Blind, Herrera, Carrick, Mkhitaryan, McTominay, Harrop, Martial, Rashford, Rooney
Ajax v Manchester United: Opta statistics
This will be the first time since 2002 that a Dutch club has reached a UEFA Cup/Europa League final (Feyenoord); Manchester United are the third English side in five seasons to reach the final (Chelsea in 2013 & Liverpool in 2016).
Ajax and Manchester United have met four times before in European competition sharing two wins apiece (two games in the first round of the 1976/77 UEFA Cup and two legs in the round of 32 during the 2011/12 Europa League campaign).
This will be the third meeting between English and Dutch sides in a European final (also Spurs v Feyenoord in 1974 and Ipswich v AZ in 1981, both in the UEFA Cup).
Ajax are in their first European final since their penalty shootout defeat to Juventus during the 1995/96 Champions League campaign.
The Europa League final will be played exactly 22 years after Ajax claimed their last European trophy by beating Milan in the 1995 Champions League final; that game featured Justin Kluivert's father, Patrick, and Daley Blind's father, Danny.
The Dutch club have lifted the trophy in six of their last eight major European finals whilst the Red Devils have won four of their six; those two defeats coming in the most recent appearances however (2008/09 & 2010/11 Champions League finals versus Barcelona).
Manchester United have reached the final of the Europa League/UEFA Cup for the first time in their history.
The Red Devils have gone 10 matches unbeaten in this competition (W7 D3); conceding just four goals in that time.
This game will be the 56th official game for Ajax this season, a new club record for the Amsterdam side.
Ajax have lost two of their last three Europa League outings; letting in seven goals across that period.
Ajax have lost three of their last four matches played in the UEFA Cup/Europa League against English opposition (W1) whilst United have lost two of their last three in this competition versus Dutch clubs (W1).
Just two of the last 16 UEFA Cup/Europa League finals have been decided by a penalty shootout (Sevilla beating Espanyol on penalties in the 2006/07 edition and then doing the same to Benfica in the 2013/14 campaign); 10 have been won in 90 minutes with a further four being decided in extra time.
There have been nine goals scored across the last two Europa League finals (an average of 4.5 per game).
José Mourinho has won all six meetings with Ajax as a manager; those previous matches have all come in the Champions League with Real Madrid.
Stockholm’s Friends Arena is hosting a UEFA club competition final for the very first time.
Marcus Rashford has been directly involved in each of Manchester United's last four goals in the Europa League (two goals & two assists).
Hakim Ziyech has recorded four assists in his last three Europa League appearances for Ajax.
No player has recorded more shots on target this season in this competition than Bertrand Traoré (16); only Zenit’s Giuliano (14) has been directly involved in more goals this term than Traoré (8 – four goals and four assists).
Only Patrick Kluivert and Ton Blanker (both 7) have scored more goals than Kasper Dolberg (6) as a teenager for Ajax in European competition.
Amin Younes (73) has completed more dribbles in the Europa League this season than the next two best players combined (Paul Pogba, 37 and Bertrand Traoré, 31).
