The line-ups for the 2017 UEFA Europa League final have been announced, with both sides selecting their strongest XI for the showpiece event in Stockholm on Monday.
Right-back Antonio Valencia is captaining United on the night, with Jose Mourinho putting his faith in young Marcus Rashford to lead the line in a 4-2-3-1 formation. It is considered to be club captain Wayne Rooney’s final game for United, but Mourinho has opted to keep the veteran forward on the bench, opting to go for a more pacy feel.
Ajax manager Peter Bosz, as expected, has gone for a youthful set up with 17-year-old defender Matthijis de Light the youngest player on either side. Midfielder Davy Klaassen captains de Godenzonen at the Friends Arena. The Dutch giants will play in their standard 4-3-3 formation, which suits their expansive style of play extremely well.
The final is said to be a clash of contrasting styles, with United’s expensively assembly squad defensively solid but looking toothless up top whereas the young Dutch side have been sizzling in attack even if they seem to be a little suspect at the back.
Manchester United: Sergio Romero, Antonio Valencia, Chris Smalling, Daley Blind, Matteo Darmian, Ander Herrera, Marouane Fellaini, Juan Mata, Paul Pogba, Henrikh Mkhitaryan and Marcus Rashford.
Ajax: Andre Onana, Joel Veltman, Jairo Riedwald, Davinson Sanchez, Bertrand Traore, Davy Klaassen, Amin Younes, Lasse Schone, Hakim Ziyech, Kasper Dolberg and Matthijs de Light.
The kick-off time of the game is 7.45 PM GMT/12.15 AM IST.