Ajax vs. Manchester United

[S.E.Arising]

vs.

Europa League
Thursday, 16 February 2012
Amsterdam Arena
Kick Off: 18:00 UK time

[Sideshow Bob]

6pm kick off? What's that about. Thursday night

We could see wholesale changes or without us not having a fixture on the weekend we may a stronger than expected team. I think we'll see changes.

GK: De Gea - want him to continue after his showings against Chelsea and Liverpool.

RB: Fabio
CD: Jones
CD: Smalling
LB: Fryers

RW: Nani
CM: Cleverley
CM: Park or Pogba
LW: Young

FWD: Berbatov
FWD: Chicharito

[Speedy]

Yeah I think we'll see a team along those lines. Is Nani fit yet?

[Sideshow Bob]

Don't know about Nani. I heard he took part in the warm ups before the Chelsea game so expected him to be on the bench for Liverpool.

[Speedy]

"I'm definitely treating it seriously, the great thing about Thursday is we don't have a game next Saturday so I can play my strongest team and will play my strongest team" Seems like Fergie will be playing our strongest side....

[JSNFRMN_MUFC]

I was thinking of a team similar to the one above but I don't expect it given Fergie's comments and that we have no game this weekend. I don't expect Scholes, Giggs or Ferdinand to feature though and maybe Evra will be rested too.

De Gea; Rafael, Smalling, Evans, Fabio/Evra; Valencia/Nani, Carrick, Cleverley, Park/Young; Rooney, Welbeck.

[SDLRob]

Berba, Giggs & Evra haven't travelled....

But, the following have travelled it seems:

De Gea, Amos, Evans, Rafael, Fabio, Jones, Ferdinand, Valencia, Nani, Carrick, Young, Park, Rooney, Hernandez, Welbeck, Scholes, Cleverley, Pogba, Smalling and Fryers.

[Sideshow Bob]

With Fergie's comments and travelling squad I would make two maybe three changes. Two definites are Carrick and Rooney replacing Pogba/Park and Berbatov respectively. The maybe is at centre defence, with Ferdinand or Evans replacing Jones.

[Berba_God]

Is berbatov injured?

[Speedy]

I would expect Fergie to stick to his word and play his strongest team based on the squad he's sent out, I'm sure Cleverley will be involve as he didn't play for the reserves on Tuesday and maybe a few other players coming back from injuries who need game time will get on.

Ajax have been struggling this season from what I've heard. 8 points off the leaders and 6th in the league, problems in the boardroom as well apparently. Think Fergie will want to attack them and try to get a lead in Amsterdam so he can rest a couple of players at home. Hope we take the Europa League seriously all the way through, would love to have the UEFA cup in the trophy cabinet.

[Sideshow Bob]

Is berbatov injured?

Probably. This seemed a game where he'd start or at least be involved in.

[Berba_God]

Ajax won their match at the weekend

[Speedy]

Yeah their first win since the winter break. Won 1, drawn 1 and lost 3 since the winter break ended I think.

[JSNFRMN_MUFC]

I think Fergie's press conference is 5pm (6pm Amsterdam time) so we might get a few hints towards selection.

[JSNFRMN_MUFC]

"Ryan Giggs and Dimitar Berbatov are injured. We rested Patrice Evra. It was an emotional weekend for him so I think this is the right thing to do. It's a strong squad we've got here."

"Ryan got a knock in the first half against Liverpool on the ankle and Dimitar got an injury in training on Sunday. I've got plenty of options up front with Wayne, Chicha and Danny Welbeck. I could also play Ashley Young off the front or Nani through the middle. It was better to leave Dimitar behind. It's not a serious injury - he'd be available if I asked him to play - but I thought it better not to risk it, so I left him behind."

[S.E.Arising]

Sir Alex on Thursday's match: "I don't have a great history playing against Dutch sides but the standard is always good. The Dutch football people will all tell you the problem is that all the best players want to leave. Unfortunately that's the way with Dutch teams. But they still keep producing players and it's great credit to them."

"We respect all our opponents. We've taken that lesson from Basel. No matter which team you play in Europe they're always capable of producing good players and teams that can worry you. I worry more about Ajax's history than any individual at this moment in time. I respect that history - it's fantastic they've retained that philosophy. They play the same style, the same tactics, the same way... it's fantastic."

[JSNFRMN_MUFC]

Sir Alex says Rio Ferdinand will captain United against Ajax.

[JSNFRMN_MUFC]

My team prediction: De Gea; Rafael, Evans, Ferdinand (C), Fabio; Valencia, Carrick, Cleverley, Park; Rooney, Hernandez.

[BiggyPert]

I think it's safe to say we took a hit on this one, after the abuse we dished out to Liverpool for being in the competition, we are surprisingly looking forward to the competition with optimism. AJAX v Manchester United is a fixture that would grace any competition and of course it cushions the blow a little, a Club with such prestige is worth getting excited about, but I'm looking forward to the possibility that Sir Alex will blood the 'Youth' for next years Champions League campaign.

I hope we go with:



GK: De Gea

RB: Rafael
CD: Evans
CD: Smalling
LB: Fabio

RW: Valencia
CM: Cleverley
CM: Pogba
LW: Young

FWD: Welbeck
FWD: Chicharito

I'd like to see Will Keane and Friars get at least half an hour!

[BiggyPert]

Ajax are about 8th in their League I think, so their name is prestigious, but this team isn't...I hope we rest Scholes, Giggs, Rooney, Valencia, Evra, Rio, Carrick, Nani for this match! I know Evra and Giggs are definitely not going, but if we could give the above a rest and concentrate on the League, I would be delighted!

[Crerand Legend]

It really hurts to hear the Champions League music and know it does not concern us

[BiggyPert]

Of course it HURTS! But trying to move on in a positive way is a MUST!

[Speedy]

Ajax are about 8th in their League I think, so their name is prestigious, but this team isn't...I hope we rest Scholes, Giggs, Rooney, Valencia, Evra, Rio, Carrick, Nani for this match! I know Evra and Giggs are definitely not going, but if we could give the above a rest and concentrate on the League, I would be delighted!

Ajax are 6th, 8 points of the top, and have been in a similar position to us in that their team has been gutted by injury for most of the season. They're still the reigning Champions however so they deserve a lot of respect. Underestimating teams has already cost us a place in the knockout rounds of the Champions League.

Away from home we need to play a pretty strong team, Cleverley will play to give him some fitness, Evra has been left behind but other than that going by what Fergie has said I expect it to be as close to full strength as possible. If we get a comfortable lead then we can give a rest to Valencia, Carrick and Rooney, and can possibly rest a few more players in the home leg.

[S.E.Arising]

Match Preview: AFC Ajax vs. Manchester United

[croc_85]

Going to be a tough match but we should have enough. I think the team will be:

GK - De Gea

RB - Jones
CB - Evans
CB - Rio
LB - Rafael/Fabio

RM - Young
CM - Cleverley
CM - Carrick
LM - Nani

ST - Hernandez
ST - Rooney