Europa League victory lifted Manchester – Ferguson

MANCHESTER (United Kingdom): Manchester United's Europa League victory gave the city a boost just two days after a devastating suicide bomb attack left 22 dead and dozens injured, claimed legendary former manager Alex Ferguson.

United beat Dutch side Ajax 2-0 in Sweden -- goals by Paul Pogba and Henrikh Mkhitaryan sealing an emotional win and a place in the Champions League next season -to deliver some joy to the city that saw pop concert goers as young as eight killed by the blast.

Ferguson, who managed United through a golden era from 1986 to 2013 which saw them win the Champions League twice among many other trophies, told Sky Sports that Manchester was a resilient city.

"First of all Manchester is a working class city and it has fantastic people there," said the 75-year-old Scot, who began his working life in the Glasgow shipyards. - AFP