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Thursday, 23 February 2012

United Seek to Clean Up Ajax


Manchester United will seek to finish the job against Ajax and secure their place in the Europa League last 16 at Old Trafford on Thursday.

Goals from Ashley Young and Javier Hernandez gave the Red Devils a 2-0 win in the first leg in Amsterdam and put Sir Alex Ferguson's men firmly in the driving seat against the Dutch champions.

United are aiming to join Ajax on the exclusive list of clubs to have tasted European Cup/Champions League, UEFA Cup/Europa League and Cup Winners' Cup success.

And it will take a monumental effort if the visitors are to stand in their way. This is not a classic Ajax vintage - Frank de Boer's team find themselves languishing in sixth place in the Dutch league.

As a result, United will be confident of getting the positive result they need, having enjoyed a free weekend to prepare due to their early elimination from this season's FA Cup.

The victors at Old Trafford will face the winners of the tie between Athletic Bilbao and Lokomotiv Moscow in Spain, with the Russian club holding a 2-1 lead from the first leg.
Team news

United will have to secure their passage to the next round without star man Wayne Rooney, who is missing with a throat problem.

There is better news for Dimitar Berbatov, who is fit again, while Ryan Giggs could be set for his 900th appearance for the club.

Chris Smalling and Tom Cleverley have also been earmarked as likely starters by Sir Alex Ferguson.

With the title race heating up, the United boss will have one eye on the trip to Norwich at the weekend - and that could see opportunities for some of the fringe players.

Youngster Paul Pogba was excused reserve-team duty on Tuesday and is pushing hard for a start.

Ajax, meanwhile, have injury concerns of their own with the likes of Nicolai Boilesen, Dmitri Bulykin, Theo Janssen, Gregory van der Wiel and Eyong Enoh all missing.

But veteran defender Andre Ooijer is set to return and could be joined in the starting line-up by teenage forward Davy Klaassen.