Jose Mourinho produced yet another tactical masterclass to guide Manchester United to a 2-0 win over Ajax in the 2017 UEFA Europa League final at the Friends Arena in Stockholm on Wednesday, qualifying for next season’s Champions League in the process.
Despite having won the Community Shield and the EFL Cup in his debut season, Mourinho was under pressure to deliver the only title missing from United’s impressive trophy cabinet.
For the Red Devils had struggled mightily in the Premier League, ultimately finishing in sixth place and with their alleged transfer targets waiting to see whether United qualified for Europe’s premier completion or not, winning in Sweden was an absolute necessity.
And once Paul Pobga’s fortuitous opener in the 18th minute got them underway, the English giants were good value for the win, holding their exuberant but slightly inexperienced opponents at bay without much fuss.
Mourinho as promised, opted to keep Sergio Romero in the starting XI in place of regular keeper (and Real Madrid bound?) David de Gea, with Marcus Rashford leading the line in a 4-2-3-1 formation. There was no place for club captain Wayne Rooney, as Paul Pogba, Henrikh Mkhitaryan and Juan Mata were chosen to support Rashford with Ander Herrera and Marouane Fellaini the preferred central midfield pairing on the night.
Ajax manager Peter Bosz, sent out a youthful Ajax side in their standard 4-3-3 formation with 19-year-old Kasper Dolberg the centre forward, flanked by danger men Bertrand Traoer and Amin Younes.
United started brightly, controlling proceedings but were lucky to take the lead as Pogba’s shot took a wicked deflection off Ajax defender Davison Sanchez, deceiving goalkeeper Andre Onana who was left stranded. Back in the side after a brief rest due to his father’s demise, Pogba looked to the heavens as he celebrated his second goal in two appearances this week for United.
The Red Devils expectedly sat back and defended with numbers, looking to spring Rashford on the counter and while Ajax started to grow into the game, their possession didn't count for nothing as Romero in the United goal was hardly tested in the first 45 minutes.
Post the interval, Ajax swarmed forward as they desperately sought an equaliser but it would be United who would score the second goal which effectively killed the tie. Mkhitaryan, who had been having a poor game until then, improvised with his back to the goal, flicking Chris Smalling’s head -down past Onana three minutes after half-time.
With United holding their shape extremely well and defending with 10, at times 11 men, Ajax’s speed merchants struggled to break down their experienced opponents and it would be the English side who actually went close to scoring. Substitute Jesse Lingard was clear on goal but Sanchez made an incredible recovery to shrug the midfielder off the ball and prevent United from extending their lead late on.
Rooney was sent on in the closing stages as United sought to see of the game, to generous applause from the Red Devils faithful, who were in full voice as they celebrated the club’s return to the Champions League.
While the season will still not be considered a success after their sluggish performances in the league, the fact that Mourinho has won two major titles in his first season at Old Trafford and secured a berth in next season’s Champions League is not a minor feat.
The Theatre of Dreams suddenly looks like an appealing proposition for many players looking to shift out to greener pastures and don't be surprised if the Red Devils make some massive signings this summer.