The Amsterdammers would be kicking themselves for not scoring in the opening half, as goals from Ashley Young and Javier Hernandez after the break sealed the defeat.
In the first-leg of UEFA Europa League’s round-of-32, Manchester United managed to cruise to a 2-0 win against Ajax Amsterdam at Amsterdam Arena on Thursday, February 16.
The Amsterdammers were the better of the two sides in the opening 45 minutes of action. They commenced proceedings brightly and enjoyed a large share of possession. However, the defending Eredivisie champions failed to create any clear cut goal scoring
opportunity.
On the other hand, the Red Devils failed to live up to the expectations attached with their impressive attacking unit. Javier Hernandez was caught in the offside way too often, while http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Nani-c27299 remained ineffective on the flank despite his marker, Dico Koppers,
making only his fourth official appearance for the home side.
http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/David-de-Gea-c10463.
The Amsterdam giants came close to breaking the deadlock at the half-hour mark, when http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Siem-de-Jong-c33482 fired a powerful shot from range. However, De Gea made a brilliant diving save to deny the Dutch International from hitting the back of the net.
At the half-time break, the score remained untoouched, though the home side remained better of the two sides.
United commenced the second-half brightly and came close to taking the lead in the 50th minute. http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Kenneth-Vermeer-c20618, rushed off his line to deny the Mexican
from scoring.
Nine minutes later, the visitors eventually scored the opening goal. The home side’s defence failed to deal with a dangerous cross in the box, which went straight to Ashley Young, who made no mistake in hitting the back of the net, slipping the ball through
the legs of Vermeer.
After going one-goal down, the Amsterdam giants put almost everything forward in search of an equaliser. However, the Red Devils soaked up the pressure with ease.
In the 85th minute, the visitors managed to double their lead following an impressive counter-attack. Substitute http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Antonio-Valencia-c6345 picked out Rooney upfront, who played a nice ball to Hernandez in the box and the Mexican slotted home to seal the
game 2-0.
The victory puts the Red Devils in the driving seat to progress through to the next phase of the competition while the Amsterdammers are left with a mountain to climb to make progression. The two sides will lock horns against each other in the return leg
at Old Trafford on February 23.
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