LEAGUE
Pogba and Mkhitaryan strike as United rejoin Europe elite
MANCHESTER United coped with the emotion and the importance of the occasion to ensure they are back where they believe they belong – in the Champions League.
Whether he liked it or not, Jose Mourinho knew success or failure in the Europa League final would define whether his first season in charge at Old Trafford was a success or failure.
Two trophies – three if you count the Community Shield – and, crucially, a return to Europe’s elite competition means it is a success.
They proved too strong for Ajax’s whizzkids and lifted the one trophy they had never won to complete the full set of football honours.
And Mourinho extended his 100 per cent record in Euro finals – it is two Champions Leagues and IN STOCKHOLM player. Last night he did so – and in the process effectively paid back half of his £89million fee because qualification for the Champions League is estimated to be worth around £50m to United.
It was Pogba’s deflected shot in the 18th minute that gave United a control they never looked liked relinquishing and Mkhitaryan’s second after 48 minutes ensured the night went to plan for United.
It looked like men against boys and, going on birth certificates at least, it certainly was. The average age of Ajax’s team was 22 years and 282 days – the youngest starting XI in a major European final. Defender Matthijs de Ligt, at the age of 17 years and 285 days, became the youngest player to feature in a major European final. He was not even born when United won their Treble in 1999. Ajax boss Peter Bosz said it would be a clash of different football styles – and so it proved. While Ajax wanted to pass it around, United played the power game that proved too much even for Premier League champions Chelsea when they pitched up Trafford in April.
United’s greater strength, pace and experience was evident from the kick-off with Marouane Fellaini and Pogba towering over their Dutch opponents.
Ajax looked overawed by the club’s first appearance in a European final for 22 years and United took an early hold of the game, winning most of the early duels without creating any clear-cut openings.
Juan Mata’s dangerous cross fell just behind Fellaini, while Antonio Valencia warmed Andre Onana’s hands with a fierce drive.
It was 10 minutes before Sergio Romero got a touch of the ball at the other end, at Old