Manchester United pulled together in their city’s time of darkness, showing no little skill and spirit to overcome Ajax and win the Europa League.
Less than 48 hours after a terror attack killed 22 people and injured many more at Manchester Arena, the club’s fans, players and staff stood unbowed in Stockholm.
Football seems trivial at a time of such pain but United embraced the spirit shown in spades by the city they represent, with Jose Mourinho’s men winning the Europa League as goals from Paul Pogba and Henrikh Mkhitaryan secured a 2-0 triumph against Ajax.
Below we compare the performances of United boss Mourinho and Ajax manager Peter Bosz.
Shots – 17
Shots on target – 3
Pass success – 86%
Aerial duel success – 35%
Tackles – 22
Clearances – 14
Possession – 69%
Shots – 7
Shots on target – 4
Pass success – 68%
Aerial duel success – 65%
Tackles – 28
Clearances – 28
Possession – 31%
Overwhelmed and short of ideas. After making the crucial early error for the opener, Ajax needed to move the ball quicker to open up passing lanes but the lack of movement off the ball meant United could sit deep and shut them off.
In the first half especially they looked a little fearful and nervous in possession as they gave away the ball needlessly. The player on the ball never had anyone to pass to and things didn’t really improve in the second half.
Bosz needed to renergise his team at the break but ultimately they played right into United’s hands and their inexperience played a major role in their downfall.
The Ajax boss will be a little perplexed because tactically, and in terms of their shape, they knew what they had to do but they didn’t have the mental fortitude to apply it.
Classic Mourinho. The football purists can complain about the dearth of entertainment but this was the pragmatic Mourinho at his best.
They started brilliantly and looked like they were going to runaway with it but after Pogba’s opener they withdrew and settled into a solid shape with little intent to press the ball when Ajax had it at the back.
It was nothing we haven’t seen before from a Mourinho team which took full advantage of their mistake. Physical and direct they retreated into counter-attack mode with every man behind the ball and despite inviting the pressure on, Ajax simply didn’t have the space of creative spark to break them down.
It’s tedious but effective and the onus was on Ajax to get back into the game and they didn’t resulting in a routine win for United.
Hands on hips, despondent and perplexed, the Dutchman couldn’t quite wrap his head around the performance which was unfolding before him.
The Portuguese was smirking and raging in equal measure. Mourinho loves nothing more than tactically destroy total football and what he saw left him smiling at times, when players stepped out of position, however, it drew a risible response, Marouane Fellaini the chief culprit on a couple of occasions.
Plenty of possession but no penetration. A frustrating evening for Bosz and a lesson learned for his side. Keep the nucleus of this youthful squad together though and they will be back.
A remarkable achievement to reach the final and the hope now will be that they can build upon this season.
4/10
Ajax coach Peter Bosz: "I think it was a boring game, no chances from both sides."
— Phil McNulty (@philmcnulty) May 24, 2017
Love his style or hate it, but you can’t argue that it isn’t effective. Vintage Jose Mourinho to cap what is now undoubtedly a successful first season at Manchester United – even if it was the most difficult of his managerial career.
8/10
Community Shield 🏆
— Sport360° (@Sport360) May 24, 2017
EFL Cup 🏆
Europa League 🏆
Champions League qualification ☑️
Successful season for Jose? pic.twitter.com/9fpDspqW1X
