HOW THEY RATED
FORMATION: 4-3-2-1 SERGIO ROMERO .... 6 Has been in outstanding form to keep his place ahead of United No.1 David De Gea. Barely had a save to make all night as the Dutch side toiled in front of him. ANTONIO VALENCIA..7 One of United’s most consistent performers this season and captain for the night. Did not let his side down. Loves to rampage forward but did his job defensively. CHRIS SMALLING ..... 7 Doubts persist over his United future but the centre-half was given the nod ahead of Phil Jones. Did his job at the heart of the United defence – even had a hand in Mkhitaryan’s second goal. DALEY BLIND ........... 7 Enjoyed an armchair ride against his old club. Neat and tidy with the ball at his feet and, more importantly, did not give the Ajax attackers a sniff all night. MATTEO DARMIAN...7 A no-frills display from the Italian. Not naturally left-footed but comfortable in possession and had few scares in keeping danger man Traore quiet. MAROUANE FELLAINI..6 Made a nuisance of himself as usual and won his fair share of headers, but was left walking a tightrope of picking up another yellow card. ANDER HERRERA .... 7 An unsung hero in the engine room. Protected his defenders, broke up play and was always on hand to take possession. PAUL POGBA ................ 8 Has had a season of near misses but earned a slice of long-awaited good fortune with his opener. The club record signing stepped up when it mattered to set his side on their way to victory. JUAN MATA ............... 6 Drifted in and out of the game and made little impression but the Spanish star was deprived of the ball for long periods. HENRIKH MKHITARYAN...7 A sixth goal in the competition this season for the Armenian – and none more important than the crucial second here – a fine overhead kick as he came to life after a quiet start. MARCUS RASHFORD..6 Ran himself into the ground as he led the line on his own. Had little joy out of the Ajax defence who were always concerned by the teenage striker’s pace over the top. SUBS: JESSE LINGARD (for Mkhitaryan, 74) helped his side see out the job; ANTHONY MARTIAL (for Marcus Rashford, 84); WAYNE ROONEY (for Mata, 90); Unused: De Gea, Jones, Fosu-Mensah, Carrick.
AJAX (4-3-3): Onana 6; Veltman 6, Sanchez 5, De Ligt 6, Riedewald 6 (de Jong, 82); Klaassen 7, Schone 6 (van de Beek, 70, 5), Ziyech 5; Traore 5, Dolberg 6 (Neres, 62, 5), Younes 5.
Unused: Tete, Westermann, Boer, Kluivert. Ref: Damir Skomina (Slovenia) – 7. COMPILED BY