Guest Post: The Bearded Devil: United Ready for Ajax

In their first foray into the Europa League, formerly the UEFA Cup, United face another storied side in European football, Ajax Amsterdam. Two of Europe’s most successful clubs, they have won a combined seven European Cups and have dominated their respective leagues. Most impressively, both sides have won the vaunted Treble, Ajax in 1972 and United more recently in 1999.

However, Ajax has not had much success in European football recently, with its last triumph coming in 1995. This year Ajax was bounced from the Champion’s League, only narrowly missing out on the knockout round due to goal difference. After regaining their league title last season Ajax currently sit in 6th place in the Dutch Eredivisie.

Sir Alex has said that he is not taking this competition lightly and will field his strongest side today. Indeed, this is the only trophy missing from his glittering resume and the players are eager to avenge their early exit from the Champion’s League.

Notable absentees are Giggs -who will have to wait to reach an astonishing 900 caps for United- and Berbatov, both players having picked up minor injuries this past week, and Evra who is being rested after an “emotional week” following the shameful Suarez handshake incident.

However, United have ready replacements as they welcome Jones, Smalling, Nani and Cleverly back from injury and draw from their pool of talented emerging youngsters.

Full Squad:
De Gea, Amos, Fryers, Rafael, Fabio, Jones, Evans, Ferdinand, Smalling, Young, Pogba,
Cleverly, Scholes, Carrick, Park, Valencia, Nani, Rooney, Welbeck, Hernandez.