This will be the Red Devils first European final since losing 0-1 to Barcelona in the 2011 Champions League final. For the Dutch side it will be a return to Euro finals for the first time since the 1996 Champions League, where they lost out to Juventus. There is a huge amount at stake for Jose Mourinho, as winning the match will give his United side a return to Champions League football and is likely to affect his transfer dealings.
Peter Bosz’s Ajax team had a disappointing end to their domestic season, after rivals Feyenoord pipped them to the Eredivisie title on the final day of the season. Ajax go into the game as the underdogs with bookmakers, they’ve been on decent form with 3 wins and 2 defeats from their last 5 games in all competitions. Bosz’s side also suffered a scare in the 2nd leg of the semi-final losing 1-3 to Olympique Lyon, but managed to overcome the French side 5-4 on aggregate.
For the tie with United, Ajax will be without defender Nick Viergever, who is suspended after being sent off in the 2nd leg with Lyon and therefore Matthijs de Ligt looks set to come in. Young full-back Daley Sinkgraven is rated as doubtful and has missed a number of games for the Dutch side with a knee injury.
Man United’s Premier League campaign petered out, as boss Mourinho chose to prioritise the Europa League after missing out on a 4th place spot. United won just 1 of their last league games, with 3 draws and 2 defeats, however arguably after the 1-1 draw with Swansea City, Mourinho started saving his first teamers for Europe. The Red Devil’s also suffered their own drama’s in the 2nd leg with Celta Vigo and after taking an early lead the Spanish side hit back. After sitting back in the second half United invited pressure on and conceded a late goal to bring Celta within 1 goal of leading on away goals. However a last minute miss by former Man City striker John Guidetti saw the final whistle blow and the Reds were through.
Mourinho hasn’t been helped by injuries this season and he will be without Marcos Rojo, Timothy Fosu-Mensah, Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Luke Shaw and Ashley Young for the final. Eric Bailly will miss the tie after his red card late on in the 2nd leg with Celta and United’s problems in defence will likely influence the result of the match. Chris Smalling and Marouane Fellaini are both rated as doubts for the game, but will face late fitness tests. Whilst usual European keeper Sergio Romero has been told he will retain his place.
Paul Pogba (Man Utd) – United will hope for a big performance from their big signing Paul Pogba and it has been notable that the Old Trafford side have struggled when he has been absent. Although the Frenchman hasn’t set the Premier League alight with his talents, he has created plenty of assists with his runs and energy and United striker Marcus Rashford will benefit with Pogba in the team.
Davy Klaassen (Ajax) – The young Dutch captain is an important player for Ajax and dominates games as a box to box midfielder. A big part of his game is the number of goals he has scored this season, with an impressive 21 goals for his team. If he is allowed to roam unchecked by United then Ajax will likely be on top and be on the score sheet.
With Ajax’s youthful side not shy of scoring (they have found the net in their last 7 Europa League matches) and Man United’s defensive problems (1 clean sheet in last 4 Europa ties), one would see the ‘Both Teams to Score’ bet at evens with Coral as decent odds. Marcus Rashford looks a good a bet at 8/5 with Coral as an anytime scorer. The young English striker has sat out most of United’s games since the semi-final win, so should be well rested and raring to go.
Henrikh Mkhitaryan has been in good form in the competition with 5 goals and is 11/2 to open the scoring. He managed this feat against Anderlecht home and away, so with his experience we are going for a repeat.
