Red Devils 2016-2017

[yinyang]

Fact is we are match fatigued, not helped by a decimated team :(

SUN, 07 MAY 2017 PREMIER LEAGUE
16:00 Venue: Emirates Stadium

TEAM NEWS

Granit Xhaka suffered a kick to the calf last weekend and has only a "little chance" of playing, according to Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger.

Shkodran Mustafi and David Ospina are back in training after respective thigh and back problems.

MOTD COMMENTATOR'S NOTES

Jonathan Pearce: "So much will depend on what sort of team injury-ravaged United can field, especially with the Europa League semi-final second leg against Celta Vigo in mind.

"Ten of Jose Mourinho's squad will have missed a month of the campaign before its end. I can't think of another manager who could have rotated as well while keeping the club competitive for so long on four fronts.

"But this could be too tough a task. Arsenal simply have to win to keep alive Champions League hopes. Arsene Wenger surely has to get a first ever league win against Mourinho.

"Alexis Sanchez must improve on his record of just one goal in nine league games against the fives sides currently above Arsenal. But will United thwart them again?"

WHAT THE MANAGERS SAY

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger: "The problem before [the north London derby] was that the clarity was if we won all our games, we had a good chance of being in the top four. Now, even winning the games doesn't guarantee us that. It's not in our hands. That's all we have to achieve.

"More than focusing on the fact it is Manchester United, a big club and a big rivalry over the years, what is important is to have the chance to achieve our target. We have no choice, we have to beat them."

Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho on which players he will rest against Arsenal: "The players that are in accumulation, the players that are with lots of minutes because we played nine matches in April and this one, so 10 matches in four-and-a-half weeks.

"The players that are in accumulation, they are not going to play at the weekend."

LAWRO'S PREDICTION

I thought Arsenal had a bit of momentum until last weekend's north London derby, when defeat showed their problems have not really gone away.

Arsenal will be up for this game, but it will not be easy because Manchester United's injury list looks shorter right now. I don't think there will be much in it.

Prediction: 1-1

Lawro's full predictions v indie rock band Kasabian

Think you can do better than Lawro? Predict the score for this match and the rest of this round's Premier League fixtures in our Predictor game

MATCH FACTS

Head-to-head

Manchester United lost this fixture 3-0 last season but that is their only defeat in the last 11 league meetings (W6, D4).
This will be the 50th Premier League match between these clubs. Arsenal have won 12 and United 22, with 15 draws.

Arsenal
Arsenal have already lost six league games in 2017, as many defeats as they suffered in the whole of 2016.
The Gunners have only lost one of their last 15 Premier League home games (W11, D3), with that defeat coming against Watford on 31 January.

The last season in which both Arsenal and Manchester United finished outside the top four was in 1978-79, when they ended seventh and ninth respectively.

Arsene Wenger's only win in 16 previous encounters as a manager against Jose Mourinho came in the 2015 Community Shield (D7, L8).

This will be Wenger's 58th match against Manchester United as Arsenal boss. They are the opponents he has faced most often in his managerial career.
Alexis Sanchez is two shy of 50 Premier League goals for Arsenal.

Manchester United

The Red Devils are unbeaten in 25 top-flight games - a club record within a single season - but have drawn 12 of those matches.

They are one of three clubs to have claimed more Premier League points on their travels than at home this season, along with Manchester City and Crystal Palace (prior to the latest round of fixtures).

United have drawn a league-high 14 games this season. If they share the points on Sunday it will be their highest total of draws since 15 in 1991-92 during a 42-game campaign.

Manchester United have won their last four Premier League fixtures which have come immediately after a Europa League game.

Jose Mourinho has never lost a Premier League game against Arsenal, winning five and drawing seven of his 12 previous meetings with the Gunners.

Wayne Rooney has scored 11 Premier League goals against Arsenal - more than any other player - and has 14 goals in 33 league and cup games versus the Gunners.

SAM's verdict

Most probable score: 1-1 Probability of draw: 28%
Probability of home win: 44% Probability of away win: 28%

SAM (Sports Analytics Machine) is a super-computer created by @ProfIanMcHale at the University of Salford that is used to predict the outcome of football matches.

Manchester United are set to be without Ashley Young, who was forced off with a muscle injury against Celta Vigo.

Marouane Fellaini is banned and Luke Shaw, Timothy Fosu-Mensah, Marcos Rojo and Zlatan Ibrahimovic are all injured.

United may rest key players like Marcus Rashford, who began Thursday's game in Spain despite carrying an injury and appeared to be in pain when he was substituted.

 

[red amoeba]

Mourinho will hate to lose. The excitement of this match is not what happens on the field but at the sidelines between Wenger and Mourinho. Let's see if these two can offer more antics than the draw that's gonna happen.

 

[Gallego99]

Celta Vigo have beaten Real and Barcelona this season.
They've rested their players for this game. Shows you all is not so bad at Man United and the level of performance tonight was excellent. On their day they can beat anyone.
Pity about the injury list.

Let's hope they can put the nail in Wenger's coffin on Sunday at the Emirates.

United is perfectly set up for a soak and strike strategy for the return leg. They should rest Martial, Rashford, Henrikh, Valencia, Pogba and Herrera. I would be happy to watch the under 23 take on the Gunners.

 

[Gallego99]

Next best manager PLEASE. What a load of rubbish from manager to players. Let's hear it from the fans at OT.

 

[red amoeba]

the team that mourinho put out against ars is pretty strong and should have no reason to lose.

sure the first goal was lucky but de gea is off the line for starters.

second goal is poor defending from the left back allowing ox to cross. then smalling miss the defending header. he did not track welbeck. tuanzbe is the right back he is not supposed to be in the box.

so Damian n smalling have no excuse of fatigue.

 

[Bad New Brown]

United players' energy are reserved for Europa League semi finals this Friday morning to beat Celta Vigo.

And more importantly the finals against the youthful and stronger Ajax Amsterdam.

So don't expect them to play to their best efforts in their remaining 3 EPL matches.

 

[yinyang]

Preview tonight, how?

Marouane Fellaini is available for Manchester United's Europa League second-leg tie with Celta Vigo at Old Trafford on Thursday.
The midfielder is serving a three-match suspension following his sending-off against Manchester City last month, but that only applies to domestic matches.

Antonio Valencia has trained since missing Sunday's defeat by Arsenal.

Former Manchester United forward Giuseppe Rossi (knee) is out for Celta Vigo.
The 30-year-old will be sidelined for at least six months after suffering a rupture of the anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee against Eibar last month.

Manchester United are looking to the Europa League as a passage to next season's Champions League.

'The most important match in our history'

However, United boss Jose Mourinho also sees it as the ideal opportunity to win a trophy the club has never won before.
"No-one else did it before," he said. "It will be very important for the club and the players. We will fight hard.
"For Celta, in their words, it's the most important match of their history and my feelings it's also the most important match of our history.
"It doesn't matter what happened before, what matters is the next one."

Celta Vigo, who have scored in all six of their Europa League away games this season, are bidding to win their first major trophy in Europe.
Their coach Eduardo Berizzo, a former Argentina defender, remains undaunted by the challenge facing his side.
"It represents a massive hurdle for Celta. This in itself is a motivation," he said.
"Having nearly 3,000 people travelling all the way from Spain, even after losing the first leg 1-0, those fans didn't give up, even against the most powerful team in the world with 70,000 of their own fans.
"We've got to go with the attitude that in football, everything is possible."

http://www.bbc.com/sport/football/39877812

 

[yinyang]

Gareth Bale transfer to Manchester United from Real Madrid much likelier than ever before

Exclusive: The Welshman is willing to move to Old Trafford should his time at the Bernabeu come to an end this summer, though Jose Mourinho remains undecided on the move

Gareth Bale is willing to move to Manchester United in the summer if Real Madrid finally decide to sell him.
While the Old Trafford hierarchy have been keen on the Welsh star for some time, manager Jose Mourinho is still undecided, especially since his first preference for a marquee signing this summer is Atletico Madrid’s Antoine Griezmann.

The long-mooted big-money transfer is still subject to a few issues, but The Independent has been told by sources from both clubs that a deal is “much likelier” than at any point in Bale’s time at the Bernabeu.

United officials are currently working exceptionally hard to deliver the key signings to make the Portuguese’s team champions next season, and are at the point where a number of different options are being broached or investigated every day.
Only three targets have so far seen any kind of significant progress, though, and they are Griezmann, Torino’s Andrea Belotti and Burnley’s Michael Keane.

Signing the Atletico striker remains the primary aim, but United have found the situation difficult, and have gone back and forth in terms of alternative options. It also remains up in the air whether Griezmann will even leave Diego Simeone’s side this summer.

If he doesn’t, United would be forced to look for a different star in accordance with the current commercial policy of looking to sign one every summer, with few names really available. This is why Neymar has been mentioned with seriousness at boardroom level, and why Bale could represent a solution.

Real president Florentino Perez remains a huge fan of the 27-year-old, since he was signed at the Bernabeu chief’s insistence, and would be very reluctant to let him go. It has not escaped notice that Zinedine Zidane’s team has fitted together much better and been more cohesive since Bale got injured in the 3-2 defeat to Barcelona on 23 April, with stand-in Isco appearing to have a much more natural place in the side.

Real sources say that other influential figures at the club feel that Bale could be sacrificed, and have been trying to persuade Perez of that, especially if they want to fund other transfer plans for the club in the summer. The player himself is enjoying his time time at Madrid, but is said to be open to the idea of Old Trafford.

http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/...-bale-transfer-news-real-madrid-a7731366.html

 

[Gallego99]

My nigga boy got sent off? Silly him.

 

[red amoeba]

Another close shave, riding their luck. They r lacklustre going forwards, devoid of speed which is puzzling. Miktaryan is a speed merchant but didn't do that this morning. Lingard is like park ji sung running like a headless chicken. If not of that missed opportunity in the final second they would have been in trouble. I would expect a 2-0 lead to be comfortable.

Ok one can say they accomplished the objective so who cares. Let's see how Smalling n Blind cope in the finals.

 

[Gallego99]

It's time for Mou to take the gamble. Play Smalling with Tuanzebe in the middle. I can't see how Blind nor Jones doing well in the middle especially the latter who is known to blunder in big games. Play Blind on the left.
I do hope Mou drops Lingaard. He was awful to say the least. Not sure why they agreed to pay him 100K per week. Start Carrick and Herrera in the midfield defensive positions-a 4-2-3-1 is ideal for starters.

 

[Gallego99]

Another close shave, riding their luck. They r lacklustre going forwards, devoid of speed which is puzzling. Miktaryan is a speed merchant but didn't do that this morning. Lingard is like park ji sung running like a headless chicken. If not of that missed opportunity in the final second they would have been in trouble. I would expect a 2-0 lead to be comfortable.

Ok one can say they accomplished the objective so who cares. Let's see how Smalling n Blind cope in the finals.

Celta Vigo should have won easily. Park is many times better than Lingaard and far more intelligent. Lingaard has bricks between his ears.

 

[Bad New Brown]

Ajax is very good young team with speed in attacking down the flanks.

Ajax 2nd in the Dutch league now and this coming Sunday is their final match.

United.. beware

 

[yinyang]

Pundits on a Spurs victory. Swan song for Old Hart Lane

The bulldozers will move in to demolish White Hart Lane on Monday after 118 years of it being Tottenham's home.

TEAM NEWS
Manchester United will be without midfielder Paul Pogba for Sunday's game against Tottenham at
White Hart Lane following the death of his father.
Fassou Pogba died on Friday at the age of 79, and his son has been given compassionate leave by the club to return to France.
Spurs manager Mauricio Pochettino has no fresh injury concerns before his side's final game at White Hart Lane.
Left-back Danny Rose has returned to full training but is not yet match fit.
United midfielder Marouane Fellaini will miss the fixture as he serves the final match of a domestic suspension.
Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Ashley Young, Marcos Rojo, Luke Shaw and Timothy Fosu-Mensah are all out for the remainder of the season.

MOTD COMMENTATOR'S NOTES
Steve Wilson: "With their bright new future now literally looming over them, Spurs bid farewell to their cherished home of 118 years.
"It's not a day to think too much about the result, certainly not a day to think too much of Manchester United - cast in the role of awkward guests at a private gathering.
"It's a day for the fans.
"It's not just a stadium that supporters leave behind, not mere concrete and brick. For a long-standing lover of any club to exit what is a kind of second home, is to feel the loss of friends and family who first guided us through the turnstiles and into the tribe - it is to feel old.
"So forget the future, forget the now, and embrace the past. For some that will mean thinking of Bale and Modric, for some Waddle, Hoddle, Lineker and Gazza - for everyone Jimmy Greaves.
"When the last whistle goes there will be smiles and tears and memories - always the memories."

WHAT THE MANAGERS SAY
Tottenham manager Mauricio Pochettino on the end of White Hart Lane: "If I feel there is something to take home to my house I will, but not my manager's seat - if I do I will have a big problem with my wife!
"I hope Sunday will be the most special day in the last three seasons. It will be special for our fans, staff, players, people who love Tottenham.
"At the same time I am excited about the new stadium because the soul and the smell of White Hart Lane will keep there.
"When the new era and stadium arrive there will be different expectations but, most important, always in our memory will be White Hart Lane, the soul and the smell."
"Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho on prioritising the Europa League final: "Obviously now Ajax think about the final. Their league finishes on Sunday and they will have 10 days to prepare. We have three league matches to play.
"Hopefully Crystal Palace don't need (anything from) the last game because I am going to make a lot of changes.
"It doesn't matter what happens. And nobody can blame us, because we have a final three days later."

LAWRO'S PREDICTION
It is Tottenham's final game at White Hart Lane but the occasion should not surprise most of the Manchester United players because they played - and lost - in West Ham's last game at Upton Park at the end of last season too.
Tottenham's defeat and performance at West Ham was a disappointing end to their title hopes but I think we have seen enough from them this season to expect a response, especially at home where they have won 16 and drawn two of their 18 league games so far.
Prediction: 2-1

MATCH FACTS
Head-to-head

• Spurs have lost 77 top-flight matches to Manchester United, eight more than they have against any other side.
• Tottenham's tally of 32 Premier League defeats against United is also their most against any opponent.
• Spurs won for the first time in 15 home league games against the Red Devils last season.
• United have failed to score in their last two away league trips to White Hart Lane. In the Premier League, they've only failed to score in three consecutive away games against an opponent twice: Everton (three games) and Chelsea (four games).

Tottenham Hotspur

• Tottenham are aiming to go unbeaten at home for the first time in a league season since 1964-65.
• They have won 13 home league matches in a row, one short of their club record run of 14 split over two seasons from January to October 1987.
• They have hit the woodwork 20 times this season, more than any other club in the top flight.
• Harry Kane has scored against 23 of the 25 clubs he's faced in the Premier League - he is yet to score in six appearances against Manchester United, and also against Cardiff.
• Spurs have the best defensive record in the Premier League this season, having conceded just 23 goals. Their club record for fewest goals conceded in an entire league campaign is 32 in 1908-09 and 1919-20 (both in the second tier).

Manchester United

• Teams managed by Jose Mourinho have failed to score in seven successive Premier League away games against current top-six opposition since Spurs beat his then-Chelsea side 5-3 on New Year's Day 2015. Four of the seven games have finished 0-0.
• Three of Manchester United's four Premier League defeats this season have been in games played on a Sunday after a Europa League match.
• They could finish outside the top three in four consecutive top-flight seasons for the first time since 1983-84 to 1986-87.
• Mourinho has failed to win a league game at White Hart Lane since August 2005, drawing two and losing two during his spells at Chelsea.

[TABLE="class: sp-story-body__table, width: 564"]
[TR]
[TH="colspan: 2"]SAM's verdict[/TH]
[/TR]
[/TABLE]
[TABLE="class: sp-story-body__table, width: 564"]
[TR]
[TH="colspan: 2"][/TH]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]Most probable score: 1-0[/TD]
[TD]Probability of draw: 29%[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]Probability of home win: 53%[/TD]
[TD]Probability of away win: 19%[/TD]
[/TR]
[/TABLE]

SAM (Sports Analytics Machine) is a super-computer created by @ProfIanMcHale at the University of Salford that is used to predict the outcome of football matches.

http://www.bbc.com/sport/football/39833969

 

[Gallego99]

Brilliant Jose!!! The young players were sitting on the bench to warm it.Why didn't he use them and pick the ones who are up for the challenge if he feels that the the remaining matches are inconsequential.

Personally, United's season has been really poor. So much was expected and so little delivered. Mou farked it up big time!!!!

 

[yinyang]

Antoine Griezmann says his chances of a Manchester United
move are '6/10'

Atletico Madrid star Antoine Griezmann says a transfer to Manchester United is 'possible',
adding there is a 'six out of 10' chance he will move to Old Trafford this summer.

The 26-year-old France forward was speaking on French TV show Quotidien.

"I think I will decide [on my future] in the next two weeks," he said.

Asked if United would be his new club he replied: "Possible, possible." Asked to give the chances on a scale of one to 10, Griezmann added "six".

The presenter replied: "It's the first time you've said that." And Griezmann replied "it's the first time."

Antoine Griezmann: Man Utd express 'most concrete' interest

Griezmann, who has won 41 caps for France since making his debut in 2014,
scored 26 goals this season as Atletico finished third in La Liga.

He was named the third best player in the world behind Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi
in the Ballon d'Or awards in January.

There is a 100 million euro (£86m) release clause in Griezmann's contract.

United have the opportunity to qualify for the Champions League by winning the Europa League on Wednesday against Ajax in Stockholm.

http://www.bbc.com/sport/football/40006920

 

[Gallego99]

Antoine Griezmann says his chances of a Manchester United
move are '6/10'....................................................http://www.bbc.com/sport/football/40006920

What a freakin waste of money!!!!!

 

[Gallego99]

Methinks Ajax will roll over tonight to placate Mancunians. Just about everyone will standby Manchester after the senseless killing two days ago.

 

[yinyang]

How tonight, at Stockholm?

Manchester United can secure a place in next season's Champions League and add the only major trophy
they have never won by beating Dutch side Ajax in the Europa League final in Stockholm.

Jose Mourinho's side finished sixth in the Premier League but will join Chelsea, Tottenham and Manchester City
in the group stage if they win. The match comes two days after a suicide bombing in Manchester that killed 22 people.
United will wear black armbands. A minute's silence will also be held before the match.

Liverpool have also qualified for the Champions League after finishing fourth in the Premier League, but must win a two-legged play-off to reach the groups. Ajax have not played in a European final since 1996, while defeat for United would cost the club £50m in missed revenue.

• 'United must be on front foot' - Phil Neville analysis
• 'More Cruyff than Van Gaal' - Who are this Ajax side?
• Manchester attack - latest from BBC News

'The Ajax way' will test United
Ajax have had more attempts on goal (225) and attempts on target (95) than any other team in this season's tournament. United have had 208 attempts on goal, 76 of them on target.Ajax coach Peter Bosz says United will be confronted by "the Ajax way" in Stockholm, as his young side fight their nerves against their experienced opponents.

Bosz has led his side to the final on a wave of attacking football in the Dutch club's finest traditions
- and he will not be adjusting his approach as he battles with Mourinho for victory and the reward of a place at football's top table next season.
He said: "We only have a chance of beating Manchester United if we play our own game, which we have developed this season and which I like to call the Ajax way of playing."

Ajax's full-throttle style is in sharp contrast to United's more pragmatic approach and Bosz added: "It is romantic but it all depends on how strong they are. We are dealing with two different styles and we will see which style of playing comes out on top."

Ajax recently fielded the youngest side in Eredivisie history with an average age of 20 years and 139 days in their final league game at Willem II, a match they won but failed to secure the title as Feyenoord won their last fixture.

Bosz said: "Will they be nervous? I should send them instantly to the doctor if they don't feel nervous.
"It would be remarkable if they didn't feel nervousness. I know they are young and we have to help them but we have been preparing for this game since our semi-final win against Lyon."

Bailly misses out - team news

United will be without defender Eric Bailly, who is suspended after his red card in the semi-final win over Celta Vigo.
Sweden forward Zlatan Ibrahimovic - who scored four goals against England in the first game at the Friends Arena in 2012 and will have a statue built outside the ground - will not play. The 35-year-old may have played his last game for United after suffering a serious knee injury earlier this month. Defenders Luke Shaw and Marcos Rojo and winger Ashley Young are all also out.

Man Utd players hold minute's silenceBoth sides will be officially backed by just 9,500 fans each.
The rest of the tickets for the 50,000 capacity stadium went on general sale and to local organisers, national associations, commercial partners, broadcasters and corporate hospitality.

Ajax, who finished in second in the Dutch Eredivisie, have left-back Nick Viergever banned, while Lasse Schone is expected to be the only player over the age of 25 in their starting XI.

Are United too tired?
Paul Pogba has played nearly 35 hours of football for Manchester United since the turn of the year
Wednesday's final will be Manchester United's 64th game of the season in all competitions, eight more than Ajax, whose total of 56 is a club record for a single season.

Mourinho - who cancelled his pre-match news conference after the attack in Manchester - has been complaining about the amount of games he has had to play since at least March. He has rotated his squad heavily in the Premier League in the last month, but does he have a point?

[TABLE="class: sp-story-body__table, width: 564"]
[TR]
[TH="colspan: 3, align: left"]Most minutes played in 2017 - Man Utd and Ajax outfield players[/TH]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TH="align: left"]Player[/TH]
[TH="align: left"]Team[/TH]
[TH="align: left"]Minutes[/TH]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]Paul Pogba[/TD]
[TD]Man Utd[/TD]
[TD]2,087[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]Davy Klaassen[/TD]
[TD]Ajax[/TD]
[TD]2,079[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]Ander Herrera[/TD]
[TD]Man Utd[/TD]
[TD]2,055[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]Davinson Sanchez[/TD]
[TD]Ajax[/TD]
[TD]2,027[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]Hakim Ziyech[/TD]
[TD]Ajax[/TD]
[TD]1,966[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]Antonio Valencia[/TD]
[TD]Man Utd[/TD]
[TD]1,913[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]Amin Younes[/TD]
[TD]Ajax[/TD]
[TD]1,895[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]Nick Viergever[/TD]
[TD]Ajax[/TD]
[TD]1,893[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]Eric Bailly[/TD]
[TD]Man Utd[/TD]
[TD]1,861[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]Marcus Rashford[/TD]
[TD]Man Utd[/TD]
[TD]1,829[/TD]
[/TR]
[/TABLE]

World-record signing Paul Pogba has played more minutes since the turn of the year than any other player in the two squads, but both clubs have five players each in the top 10.

Ajax captain Davy Klaasen has played the most minutes all season, with Ajax players making up six of the top 10.
[TABLE="class: sp-story-body__table, width: 564"]
[TR]
[TH="colspan: 3, align: left"]Most minutes played in 2016-17 - Man Utd and Ajax outfield players[/TH]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TH="align: left"]Player[/TH]
[TH="align: left"]Team[/TH]
[TH="align: left"]Minutes[/TH]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]Davy Klaassen[/TD]
[TD]Ajax[/TD]
[TD]4,319[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]Paul Pogba[/TD]
[TD]Man Utd[/TD]
[TD]4,262[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]Ander Herrera[/TD]
[TD]Man Utd[/TD]
[TD]3,905[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]Davinson Sanchez[/TD]
[TD]Ajax[/TD]
[TD]3,872[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]Zlatan Ibrahimovic[/TD]
[TD]Man Utd[/TD]
[TD]3,852[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]Amin Younes[/TD]
[TD]Ajax[/TD]
[TD]3,774[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]Joel Veltman[/TD]
[TD]Ajax[/TD]
[TD]3,759[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]Nick Viergever[/TD]
[TD]Ajax[/TD]
[TD]3,740[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]Antonio Valencia[/TD]
[TD]Man Utd[/TD]
[TD]3,685[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]Hakim Ziyech[/TD]
[TD]Ajax[/TD]
[TD]3,388[/TD]
[/TR]
[/TABLE]

Proud pedigrees
United were the first team from England to win the European Cup in 1968, a year after Celtic, and have since added the trophy in 1999 and 2008.
They added the now defunct European Cup Winners' Cup in 1991 but have never won the Europa League, or its predecessor the Uefa Cup.

Both sides have had long waits for European glory: Manchester United won the Champions League in 2008, while Ajax last tasted success in 1995Ajax are one of four clubs to have won all three European trophies - alongside Chelsea, Juventus and Bayern Munich - but last lifted continental silverware in 1995 when Patrick Kluivert won the Champions League against AC Milan. His son Justin could feature in the final.

This is the third meeting of Dutch and English sides in a major final.
In 1974 Tottenham lost 4-2 on aggregate to Feyenoord, while Sir Bobby Robson's Ipswich beat AZ Alkmaar 5-4 over two legs in 1981.

The key stats for the final

• Just two of the last 16 UEFA Cup/Europa League finals have been decided by a penalty shootout; 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).
• Jose Mourinho has won all six meetings with Ajax as a manager; those previous matches have all come in the Champions League with Real Madrid.
• Ajax forward Amin Younes (73) has completed more dribbles in the Europa League this season than the next two best players combined (United's Paul Pogba, 37 and Ajax's on-loan Chelsea striker Bertrand Traore, 31).

http://www.bbc.com/sport/football/40004559

 

[yinyang]