Ajax 0-2 Manchester United: Player Ratings From The Europa League Final

Manchester United defeated Ajax 2-0 in the final at Stockholm to win their first ever Europa League title. Goals from Jose Mourinho’s summer signings Paul Pogba and Henrikh Mkhitaryan were enough to guarantee the Red Devils the trophy, along with an all-important place in next season’s UEFA Champions League.

Here’s how the Premier League giants fared in the game:

SERGIO ROMERO – 7
United’s Europa League specialist. Hardly tested on the night, but maintained solid presence between the sticks to ensure the clean sheet.

ANTONIO VALENCIA – 7
Captained the side for most of the night. Defended well, and provided a great attacking outlet down the right.

CHRIS SMALLING – 7
Solid at the back, and assisted Henrikh Mkhitaryan’s goal.

DALEY BLIND – 8
Focused throughout the game, and commanded the Reds’ defence well.

MATTEO DARMIAN – 8
A traditional defensive masterclass from the Italian.

ANDER HERRERA – 8
Hyperactive, aggressive, and extremely effective in the middle of the park.

MAROUANE FELLAINI – 8
Was the recipient of numerous long balls. Made some crucial interceptions and dominated midfield aerially. Assisted Pogba’s opener.

PAUL POGBA – 8

His crucial opening goal calmed his team’s nerves. His passes made Manchester United tick on the pitch.

JUAN MATA – 6
Mediocre performance. Hasn’t been at his best since his early return from injury.

HENRIKH MKHITARYAN – 6
Played a very poor first half, but made up for it by sealing the victory with a clever goal.

MARCUS RASHFORD – 6
Failed to capitalise on a decent chance or two. Careless in possession at times.

SUBSTITUTES:

JESSE LINGARD – 5
Missed the chance to capitalise on a one-on-one and make it three for his boyhood club.

ANTHONY MARTIAL – 5
Failed to get on the ball too much.

WAYNE ROONEY – 5
A cameo, and perhaps his final competitive appearance in the Manchester United shirt.

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Here’s how Peter Bosz’s Ajax side fared in the match:

ANDRES ONANA – 5
Failed to command the box. Could have done a tad bit better whilst conceding the deflected opening goal.

JOEL VELTMAN – 7
Had a great game down the right. Comfortable on the ball, and started quite a few attacks for the Dutch side.

DAVINSON SANCHEZ – 6
Pogba’s shot got deflected off him before finding the back of the net. Was risky in possession, but also pacey enough to recover on more than one occasions.

MATTHIJS DE LIT – 6
Solid display in central defence from the 17-year-old.

JAIRO RIEDEWALD – 6
Passed the ball well, and covered a lot of ground down the left.

DAVY KLAASSEN – 6
Remained busy in the middle of the park.

LASSE SCHONE – 7
Battled in midfield with his tremendous work rate.

HIRAM ZIYECH – 6
Skillful on the ball, and provided an attacking threat from midfield.

BERTRAND TRAORE – 7
Terrorized the Manchester United defence at times with his pace, but failed to find any valuable end product.

AMIN YOUNES – 5
Disappointingly quiet.

KASPER DOLBERG – 5
Couldn’t get too involved in the game.

SUBSTITUTES:

NERES – 5

VAN DE BEEK – 5

DE JONG – 5

 

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Written by Kunal Kambli  

An introverted grammar pedantic who worships football and loves writing about it. Part of the BlameFootball team since 2016.