Stadium: Amsterdam Arena
Capacity: 52,342
European Pedigree: Pedigrees don't get much better than Ajax, whose great side of the 1970s won a hat-trick of European Cups in ’71, ’72 and ’73. They were Champions League winners in ’95 with Louis van Gaal’s vintage of Edgar Davids, Clarence Seedorf, Patrick Kluivert, Marc Overmars and the De Boer twins. Ajax have also completed the clean sweep in Europe, collecting the Cup Winners Cup in ’87 and UEFA Cup in ’92.
Form: It’s been a miserable 2012 for the Dutch giants, who picked up their first win of the New Year at Breda at the weekend. A 2-0 victory came after back-to-back defeats to Feyenoord and Utrecht in the league. They were also knocked out of the Dutch Cup by AZ Alkmaar.
They narrowly missed out on the knockout stages of the Champions League by goal difference – missing out to Lyon for the runner-up spot behind Real Madrid in Group D.
Main Man: Christian Eriksen – he’s the man Sir Alex Ferguson will be most interested in, with the United manager readying himself for a move for the Dane in the summer. He will have competition with many of Europe’s top clubs also following the 20-year-old playmaker. Barcelona are among the sides linked with the classy midfielder who has already been compared with Danish legend Michael Laudrup.
Manager: Frank De Boer – the ex-Holland international is little over a year in charge at the Amsterdam Arena and led Ajax to the title in his first season. A Champions League winner himself, he has been brought up in the finest passing traditions of the club.
Tactics: The Dutch invented total football and it helped Ajax dominate Europe in the ’70s and win fans all over the world. De Boer endeavors to stick to his club’s ethos – but there is a soft centre that has undermined them on several occasions this season. Real Madrid put six past them in two games, Utrecht won 6-4 in November and Feyenoord were 4-2 winners against last month.
Legend: Johan Cruyff – one of the all-time greats of the game, the Dutch maestro (above) led Ajax to a hat-trick of European Cups, eight titles and five Dutch cups. He returned as a manager to win the Cup Winners Cup and two Dutch cups. He was also named European Footballer of the Year on three occasions.
Did you know? Ajax completed their own Treble 27 years before United achieved the feat in ’99, winning the league, Dutch Cup and European Cup in 1972. Tweet
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Let's not underestimate those men from Amsterdam, lads! They have a decent squad, their pedigree is strong and they have christian Eriksen, mind! However, if we take it seriously and show the fighting spirit that we have shown all season, we can win and go through to the next round! A good idea for the line up would be like this:
De Gea
Rafael Ferdinand Jones Fabio
Valencia Cleverly Carrick Young
Rooney Chicharito
With players coming back from injury, this is a good choice. OUR INJURY CRISIS MUST END SOON! This is getting ridiculous and annoying. hopefully with players back we can win the league and maybe this competition! Good luck lads! COME ON UNITED! TAKE THE EUROPA LEAGUE SERIOUSLY!!!!
proud to be a rag, united til i die
Blimey ............
Arf the team will be down the Red Light district!
Although, because of the lack of a game at weekend, we have a strong squad available, I would be surprised if Sir Alex really intended to 'go for this competition'. When the League gets down to the nitty gritty, I expect United to treat it like the other 'Grade 2' Cups (League Cup, FA Cup) which are nice to have but not if they interfere with the main objectives. Thus, expect some useful experience being given to fringe players in the return and later legs (if we progress).
I think form goes out of the window in games like this. If you can't raise your game against a team like Manchester United in a two legged cup match, then you really should take up another sport. It's a top, top match for everyone who loves football.
Ajax have the making of a good team!
BUT they lack a leader - like they used to have in the de Boers, Rijkaard, Seedorf, Blind, van der Sar, Davids!! (not unlike United really!)
I have seen them often this season!
I think we'll be TOO strong for them, (I fear) a little like our out-classing of Shalke 04 last season!
Come On You Reds!!