0 Man Utd 2: Fergie enjoys happy return to Europe on Amsterdam cruise

By Chris Wheeler
Last updated at 12:22 AM on 17th February 2012

For Sir Alex Ferguson, the return of a familiar feeling. After the difficulties of early winter in the Champions League, Ferguson and his Manchester United team departed icy Amsterdam with a victory behind them that was as straightforward as it was necessary.
This game will not be remembered for long. The Europa League is a competition that United should never really be in and modest opposition didn’t require them to overstretch themselves in the Amsterdam ArenA.
Clinical: Ashley Young fires his shot past Vurnon Anita and into the Ajax net
Clinical: Ashley Young fires his shot beyond Vurnon Anita and into the Ajax net

MATCH FACTS

Ajax: Vermeer, Anita, Alderweireld, Vertonghen, Koppers (Boilesen 63), De Jong, Aissati, Eriksen, Ozbiliz (Lukoki 80), Bulykin (Van Rhijn 60), Sulejmani. Subs not used: Cillessen, Blind, Lodeiro, Serero.
Booked: De Jong, Alderweireld.
Man Utd: De Gea, Jones, Ferdinand, Evans, Fabio Da Silva, Nani (Welbeck 86), Carrick, Cleverley (Scholes 60), Young (Valencia 76), Rooney, Hernandez. Subs not used: Amos, Smalling, Park, Pogba.
Booked: Fabio.
Scorer: Young 59, Hernandez 85.
Referee: Gianluca Rocchi (Italy).
Nevertheless, a victory by two goals not only pretty much guarantees United a place in the last 16 but could also have an impact on their chances in the Barclays Premier League.
A week on Sunday, United visit Norwich City for what could be a testing encounter. A week later they play Tottenham at White Hart Lane.
Before those comes the second leg of this tie and Ferguson will know that he will be able to rest players. Last night, he was true to his word and fielded a strong team. Next week it will not be the same.
Ajax — sixth in their domestic league and still recovering from a boardroom dispute that has overshadowed much of what has happened in Dutch football recently — looked a very limited side.
Playing in front of terrific support and inside a packed stadium, Frank de Boer’s team were unable to threaten United with any consistency. It is hard to imagine them doing so at Old Trafford next week, no matter who Ferguson fields.
Game over: Javier Hernandez hails his goal
Game over: Javier Hernandez hails his goal
The United manager was candid in his assessment of his team’s efforts. Could do better, was his summation.
‘The first half was disappointing,’ he said. ‘It was difficult to get any rhythm and speed into the game. The second half we improved, and deserved to win. It’s a good result.’
Ultimately, they won on the back of two very good goals in the second half, both from players — Ashley Young and Javier Hernandez — who have much they would perhaps like to contribute after injury-interrupted seasons.
Up and running: Manchester United got their Europa League campaign off to the perfect start in Amsterdam
Up and running: Manchester United got their Europa League campaign off to the perfect start in Amsterdam
Young’s 59th-minute strike came after a spell of United pressure. Another making his comeback from injury, Phil Jones, looked set to open the scoring nine minutes earlier when Young’s clever cross seemed destined for his forehead, only for Jan Vertonghen to deflect the ball away.
Soon after, Hernandez turned Toby Alderweireld to run clear and was denied by a well-timed block from Ajax keeper Kenneth Vermeer.
For the first time in the evening, United had begun to look really dangerous and it wasn’t long before they scored.
Having a go: Wayne Rooney tries to make it 3-0 with late, floated effort
Having a go: Wayne Rooney tries to make it 3-0 with late, floated effort

High and wide: Toby Alderweireld forces Wayne Rooney to blast a shot off target
High and wide: Toby Alderweireld forces Wayne Rooney to blast a shot off target
Nani, who had a pretty dreadful night on his own return from injury, crossed from the left and when the ball struck Vertonghen it landed in Young’s path. A goal looked inevitable as soon as he cut in on his right side and the shot was driven between Vermeer and a defender and into the centre of the goal.
Ajax looked deflated. For the first hour they had been in the game but from hereon in looked dispirited.
Nani drove over in the 62nd minute and had another shot blocked as he looked set to curl the ball into the far corner.
Dangerman: Michael Carrick tracks Danish sensation Christian Eriksen
Dangerman: Michael Carrick tracks Danish sensation Christian Eriksen
Aerial battle: Siem de Jong outjumps the Manchester United rearguard
Aerial battle: Siem de Jong outjumps the Manchester United rearguard

The second goal came after Antonio Valencia won the ball in midfield to allow Wayne Rooney and Hernandez to combine, and the Mexican’s shot spun in off the goalkeeper. But the goal came at a cost, as Valencia — only on the pitch for 11 minutes — limped off after helping to set it up. Ferguson confirmed he had injured a hamstring and faces four weeks out.
Perhaps the stand-out moment for Ajax was in the 10th minute when Siem de Jong curled a shot towards David de Gea’s left-hand corner from distance. Given that Rio Ferdinand — otherwise excellent — ducked, De Gea perhaps didn’t see it until late but the Spaniard made good ground to turn the shot away.


Sent sprawling: Javier Hernandez feels the force of Kenneth Vermeer's challenge
Sent sprawling: Javier Hernandez feels the force of Kenneth Vermeer's challenge

Close attention: Rio Ferdinand fouls Miralem Sulejmani
Close attention: Rio Ferdinand fouls Miralem Sulejmani
De Jong headed another chance over the bar and the referee was right to wave away penalty appeals on the stroke of half-time when Miralem Sulejmani fell over Ferdinand’s leg on the edge of the area.
With the scoreline level at the break, it looked as if United had weathered the best Ajax could throw at them. So it proved.

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Wasnt worth getting valencia injured in this mickeymouse competition.
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Ferguson took a chance putting out half of the team who were not match fit but Jones and Fabio did really well. Nani wasted too many balls,as usual and Young and Cleverley will need a few more games yet. Great ref though but the bonus tonight was not having to tolerate Adrian Childs!
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Well done United. As big a United supporter as anybody, but it's still kind of embarrassing to be in the Europa League, not gonna hide from that. Either way the result was deserved and much needed for the replay at OT. It's going to be nice to rest the regular players ahead of the tricky fixture against Norwich. Come on ye Reds!
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Watched with interest. The best thing or you lot was the fact that Cleverley is back. For me, he's the best young midfielder in the country and one of the best there is anywhere. The worst thing for you is that Valencia is crocked. He killed us the other week. Very good result, as Ajax are better than...erm...Basel...still can't beleive you didn't get out of the group stage!
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Well done to United but the score was a little harsh on Ajax. Played very well, particularly in the 1st half. A credit to the dutch league, and what an atmosphere at the Amsterdam Arena!
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