For Man United, an emotional win

Soccer team gives grieving home city a moment to cheer by winning Europa title

Stockholm — Manchester United gave its grieving home city a moment to cheer by winning the Europa League on Wednesday, beating Ajax 2-0 in the final thanks to goals by Paul Pogba and Henrikh Mkhitaryan.

Pogba pointed to the sky as he was mobbed by teammates after his 18th-minute opening goal. The game was played two days after 22 people were killed in a bomb attack at a concert in Manchester, and 12 days after the death of Pogba's father, Fassou Antoine.

Mkhitaryan scored the second goal in the 48th minute, hooking the ball in from close range from a corner.

The win earned United the bonus prize of a place in next season's Champions League and meant coach Jose Mourinho finished his first season at England's biggest club with two trophies. United also won the English League Cup in February.

United's players flew to Sweden in somber mood and with heavy hearts following the tragedy at an Ariana Grande concert on Monday, and were determined to produce a display that served as a tribute to the victims and their families.

That they succeeded in doing so was a testament to their strength of character.

"Yesterday morning, we were devastated," United midfielder Ander Herrera said, dedicating the win to the victims, "... but the manager told us the only thing we could do was to win this for them. That's what we've done. It's just a football game, just a trophy, but if we can support them with this just 1 percent, it's enough for us."

Mourinho said his players "put a wall in front of their eyes" to get through the match.

"If we could, we'd change obviously the peoples' lives for this cup. We wouldn't think twice," Mourinho said. "Does this cup make the city of Manchester a little bit happier? Maybe."

The planned pre-match one minute's silence rapidly turned into 60 seconds of applause, during which United's fans chanted "Manchester, Manchester" for the first time. Both teams wore black armbands for the match in another mark of respect and both sets of fans came together, mingling happily outside the stadium and in the city center before the match.

The game was billed as a clash between the pragmatism of Mourinho's United against the swagger and youthful exuberance of an Ajax side featuring six players aged 21 or under and in the club's first European final in 21 years.

It came as no surprise that United's players handled the big occasion better, and were able to impose themselves over such inexperienced opponents as much through their physicality as their game management.

"I haven't seen the Ajax that I am used to," Ajax coach Peter Bosz said. "They are not used to play a final. It was all new for them."

Pogba — the world's most expensive player — stood out although his crucial first goal had a huge element of fortune to it.

Marouane Fellaini — a regular outlet because of his height and physical presence — laid the ball off to Pogba at the edge of the area, and the France midfielder allowed it to run across him before sending in a low left-footed shot that wouldn't have troubled goalkeeper Andre Onana. The ball struck Davinson Sanchez's outstretched leg and looped up, spinning into the net past the wrong-footed Onana.

Mkhitaryan's goal was much prettier, although it came from a direct route. A right-wing corner was headed down by Chris Smalling, and Mkhitaryan reacted quickest by hooking the ball high into the net from close range.

United had little trouble keeping Ajax at bay in the closing stages and the celebrations were euphoric after the match. Mourinho was thrown up in the air by his coaching staff and rolled around on the ground with his son; Pogba danced in front of United's supporters.

It was United's sixth European trophy and the only major piece of silverware missing from its collection.

“If we could, we’d change obviously the peoples’ lives for this cup. We wouldn’t think twice. Does this cup make the city of Manchester a little bit happier? Maybe.” COACH JOSE MOURINHO