Manchester United FC vs AFC Ajax
Friends Arena, Stockholm, Sweden
Wednesday, May 24th 2017    2:45PM EST    FS1

We are in the midst of Europe’s trophy season as all domestic league champions have been crowned.  Thus, only the domestic cups and European championships are what’s left up for grabs.  This upcoming Saturday is definitely Footballing Shorts worthy as the finales for the FA Cup, Copa del Rey, Coupe de France, and DFB-Pokal are all taking place across the continent.  However, Wednesday’s Europa League Final between Manchester United and Ajax Amsterdam is the most important of them all.  These two clubs will be vying for European supremacy, and for an automatic berth into the Champions League Group Stage.  Therefore, this week’s article is solely focused on this meeting between two of Europe’s most storied clubs.  I’ll provide a brief synopsis on the Europa League, reveal my key performers of the match, and reveal my LSB prediction!

UEFA Europa League 

Established as the UEFA Cup in 1971, and later rebranded as the UEFA Europa League in 2009, this European competition is the continent’s second tier tournament.  Unlike the Champions League which is dominated by a select few “Super Clubs”, this league primarily allows big clubs from “smaller" countries (Steau Bucharesti, Shakhtar Donetsk, Sparta Praha, Zenit St. Petersburg, Fenerbahce, etc.) an avenue to legitimately compete on the European stage against clubs from the more predominant countries (Man U, Ajax, Lyon, Club Bilbao, Fiorentina, Shalke, etc.) that narrowly missed out on Champions League qualification.  Despite the vast majority of the Europa League winners hailing from the top domestic leagues in Europe (Spain, Germany, England, Italy, etc.), Galatasaray, CSKA Moscow, Zenit St. Petersburg, and Shakhtar Donetsk have all won the trophy since the turn of the 21st century.  Meanwhile, Scotland giants Celtic and Rangers plus Shakhtar Donetsk have been runners-up during this period.

This season once again we saw several clubs from smaller countries such as Besiktas, Genk, and Anderlecht all reach the quarterfinals, as well as an incredibly young, but fiercely talented Ajax squad reach the final.  Thus, this competition is about both inclusion and talent. The Champions League is too often void of intriguing and unusual matchups, something that the UEFA Cup so frequently brings. This final set, to kickoff in less than 48 hours, punctuates my point.

Key Performers

Heading into this game Manchester United is considered the heavy favorite to hoist the cup as the club possesses a bevy of billboard footballers, starting with none other than Paul Pogba.  As most of us know by now, the 23 year old box-to-box midfielder was sold back to United from current Champions League finalists, Juventus, last summer for a record fee of £89.3 million.  As a result, the French international has been in the spotlight all season with, quite frankly, unreasonably high expectations placed on his shoulders.  Thus, Pogba’s first season back in the Premier League has been considered inconsistent. He’s dazzled at times producing world class crosses to Zlatan Ibrahimovic, but has also blown routine set piece cover assignments.  With that said, all eyes will be on Pogba in Stockholm, as he’ll be expected to boss the midfield and lead Manchester’s offensive attack. 

In addition to Pogba, 19 year old Marcus Rashford will be carrying the load up front for the Red Devils.  Zlatan’s Man U career ended abruptly, roughly a month ago, due to injury. He wasn’t picked up by Man U for a second year, although he may be rehabbed before the season’s end. So, where Zlatan would have lead the charge, Rashford has been called upon to produce the goods and the goals for one of England’s most trophy laden clubs, and he’s performed admirably.  Rashford shone in the Chelsea match as he beat England’s best defense with his pace, timing and scoring prowess. He also came through in the first leg of the Europa League Semifinal as Rashford’s wondrous free kick strike was the decider.  Therefore, be sure to hone in on this talented center forward during the game. He’s sure to give Ajax defenders’ Joel Veltman, Davison Sanchez, Jairo Riedewald, and Keeny Tete fits throughout the evening.

As for Ajax, I suspect that the squad know’s it’s the “underdog” heading into this fixture.  With that said, I don’t believe this will alter manager Peter Bosz game plan or change the players’ mindset and approach whilst being on the pitch.  Rather, they will continue to play an attacking minded and front line pressing style of football.  This mentality and tactical formula is what has gotten a historically young Ajax club to its first European final since playing for a fifth Champions League title in 1996.  The Lancer’s have been lead by teenage sensation, Kasper Dolberg.  The Lancer’s center forward has been absolutely magnificent in his first season with the Dutch club.  Many, including me, were wondering how Ajax would replace the outgoing Polish international Arkadiusz Milik up front, and by mid-season that question had been answered.  Dolberg has produced 16 goals in 29 appearances this term. This includes a goal in each leg of the Europa League semifinals, that saw Ajax win 5-4 over Lyon on aggregate.  So, be sure to watch Dolberg roam United’s penalty area as he’s likely to have a say of his own in this match and be dubbed by locals as a true Son of the god’s. 

LSB Prediction

This year’s final in will be doused in rich tradition and perhaps an unmatched pedigree that hasn’t been seen before in this competition.  Man United and Ajax have combined to win 53 domestic league titles, 30 domestic cups, 29 domestic super cups, 3 UEFA Super Cups, 7 Champions League trophies, and 1 Europa League title.  The stage will is set for a full night of fireworks.  I predict Marcus Rashford and Kasper Dolberg will both strike the back of the net. But, it will be Paul Pogba’s sublime pass to Henrikh Mkhitaryan that will send the squad into the ascendancy. Finally, Manchester United legend, Wayne Rooney, will end his time at Old Trafford by hoisting the club’s first ever Europa League trophy.  2-1 Manchester United FC