196
Tonight, the 24th of May, 2017, two of Europe’s heavyweights, AFC Ajax and Manchester United will go all out to make history in the final of the Europa League in Stockholm, Sweden.
Ajax who won this competition in 1992 will be looking forward to securing another one against the Red Devils in what we expect to be a blockbuster match. Manchester United on the other hand, have never won this competition before and it remains the only trophy missing from their industrious trophy cabinet.
Amsterdam’s Davy Klaassen
Ajax have been known for swift and attacking prowess during the phase of the competition topping their group with 14 points and going on to defeat the likes of Lyon and Schalke 04 in their road to the final.
For Manchester United, they have been dubbed favorites to win the competition since the group stages and now they are one step away from meeting expectations.
The Red devils finished second in the group stages with 12 points, two points from table toppers, Fernabache who later crashed out of the competition in the latter stages. They have also produced stellar performances against the likes of Anderlecht and Saint Etienne.
Ajax come into this final with few first team absentees; with the likes of Sinkgraven to miss out with injury and also suspension to center-back, Viergever.
For Manchester United, they come into the game with a lot of injuries to notable first team players such as Marcos Rojo and Zlatan Ibrahimovic. They will also have center back, Eric Bailly ruled out after getting a red card in the second leg of semi-final clash against Celta Vigo at Old Trafford.
As it stands, Ajax are already through to the group stages of the Champions after narrowly loosing the Eredivisie title to rivals, Feyernoord to come second. But they will be looking to go home with the title nevertheless.
Manchester United on the other hand did not finish in the top four of the Premier League, meaning that the Europa League is all they have to secure Champions League football next season and assert themselves as true European giants.
(L-R) Kasper Dolberg of Ajax, Jairo Riedewald of Ajax, Lasse Schone of Ajax Images via Getty Images
Whatever happens in this final, we all expect an end to end mouth action.
Enjoy!
