Manchester United have won the UEFA Europa League for the first time in their history after defeating AFC Ajax 2-0 in the final in Stockholm on Wednesday evening. The triumph also secures Champions League football for next season.
The Red Devils put in a measured, intelligent showing in which they nullified Ajax’s speed and energy in attack, while also exploiting their superior physical strength and experience. The key moment of the match arrived in the 18th minute, with Paul Pogba putting United ahead with a shot which deflected off the leg of defender Davinson Sanchez and wrong-footed goalkeeper Andre Onana. It was just the stroke of luck Jose Mourinho’s team needed to take control of the game: from then on, it was always going to be an uphill battle for the Dutch side.
United doubled their lead early in the second half when Chris Smalling headed goalwards from a corner kick and Henrikh Mkhitaryan acrobatically hooked the ball beyond the reach of Onana from close range. The Red Devils managed the remainder of the game and held Ajax at arm’s length, with goalkeeper Sergio Romero virtually untested through the whole 90 minutes.
The English side even had the luxury of introducing Wayne Rooney as a late substitute in what is likely to be his farewell after 13 years at the club. Rooney has been strongly linked with a move away from Old Trafford, with Everton and Chinese clubs circling for his services.