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| PROBABLE LINEUPS |
MANCHESTER UNITED  De GeaRafael, Jones, Smalling, Fabio Park, Cleverley, Scholes, Young Berbatov, Hernandez | AJAX  VermeerVan Rhijn, Alderweireld, Vertonghen, Koppers De Jong, Eriksen, Anita Ozbiliz, Lodeiro, Sulejmani |
With Manchester United facing a potentially tricky trip to Norwich City just two days after facing Ajax, Sir Alex Ferguson looks likely to rest several key players with the Red Devils already 2-0 up.
Although Ferguson may rest players, he also has his fair share of injuries to think about. Antonio Valencia (hamstring), Anders Lindegaard (ankle), Anderson (knock), Nemanja Vidic (knee), Darren Fletcher (bowel condition) and Michael Owen (thigh) are all out while.
However, Ryan Giggs (ankle) and Dimitar Berbatov (knock) may be able to return after missing last week’s first leg.
The visitors, as they did last week, have a number of injury issues themselves. Derk Boerrigter (back), Gregory van der Wiel (groin), Eyong Enoh (hamstring), Andre Ooijer (calf) and Kolbeinn Sigthorsson (tibia/leg injury) all look likely to miss out, while Nicolai Boilesen (hamstring) is touch-and-go after sitting out the weekend win over NEC Nijmegen.
Despite bagging two goals against NEC in the league last time out, Dmitry Bulykin may also be forced to miss the trip to Old Trafford after he had to be substituted with only 31 minutes gone in the 4-1 win.
| DID YOU KNOW? |
The last time Manchester United won the first-leg of a European tie and were knocked out came in 2007 as they defeated AC Milan 3-2 at Old Trafford, before an injury-ravaged side lost 3-0 in Italy.
- Paul Pogba (pictured right) will make his European debut if he features at any point.
- United haven’t lost any of their last 11 home European matches. Their last home loss was against Besiktas in November 2009.
- They have lost just two home matches in Europe since losing to Deportivo La Coruna in October 2001.
- Ajax have lost just five of their last 20 away Europa League matches, but have only won four of their last away matches in the Champions League.
- Of their 13 goals so far in Europe this season, five of United’s have been scored in the final 15 minutes of matches.
- Reported United target Christian Eriksen currently leads Ajax’s assist chart this season with 11.
- If he features, Ryan Giggs will make his 900th appearances for United.
It was tempting to go with a bigger scoreline prediction given United’s form recently but, with many key players likely to be rested, maybe the end result won’t be quite as emphatic.
Nevertheless, it should be a comfortable night for Ferguson’s side and they will be hoping to avoid any complacency, with an early Ajax goal undoubtedly having the potential to create a nervous atmosphere at the ‘Theatre of Dreams’.
Nevertheless, it should be a comfortable night for Ferguson’s side and they will be hoping to avoid any complacency, with an early Ajax goal undoubtedly having the potential to create a nervous atmosphere at the ‘Theatre of Dreams’.
Editor's Prediction
Man Utd. 3-0 Ajax 
