United V Ajax Match Guide

Form guide
Four-time European champions Ajax are arguably the definition of sleeping giants. Famed for their stylish and successful football throughout the early 1970s, they have not lifted silverware on the continent since the 1995 Champions League triumph. Domestically, they're the title holders but a recent run of poor form has left them sixth in this season's Eredivisie. Their 2-0 away win over NAC Breda at the weekend was the first victory of the calendar year for Frank De Boer’s men - a big contrast with the Reds who have won five out of eight in 2012 so far, including away triumphs over Manchester City and Arsenal plus Saturday’s crowd-pleasing win over Liverpool.

Ins and outs
Central defenders Toby Alderweireld and Jan Vertonghen both returned for Ajax against NAC Breda, but Ajax had problems in midfield with Theo Janssen missing the game altogether and Eyong Enoh withdrawing after half an hour with a hamstring strain. Meanwhile, with no FA Cup fixture to fulfil this weekend, Sir Alex is able to select his strongest midweek team without a worry. The boss has plenty of options with Tom Cleverley, Nani, Phil Jones and Chris Smalling all back in the squad after injuries. Three notable absentees from the travelling party, however, are Dimitar Berbatov, Patrice Evra and Ryan Giggs.

Last meetingDespite being two of the most decorated clubs in European football, Ajax and United haveonly twice met competitively - home and away in the first round of the 1976/77 UEFA Cup. The Dutch giants won 1-0 in Amsterdam, before goals from Lou Macari and Sammy McIlroy in the second leg at Old Trafford ensured the Reds triumphed 2-1 on aggregate.

Opposition boss
As one half of Dutch football’s most famous twins, Frank de Boer enjoyed a glittering playing career, teaming up with his brother Ronald at Ajax, Barcelona and Rangers. Upon his retirement in 2007, Holland's most capped outfield player secured a youth coaching role at the Amsterdam ArenA. He gained senior experience when assisting national-team manager Bert van Marwijk at the 2010 World Cup and was appointed temporary boss of his beloved Ajax later that year following Martin Jol’s resignation. The Dutch title was won during his first season in charge, and secured on his 41st birthday. No wonder there have been rumours of a return to Barcelona in the event of Pep Guardiola moving on.

Star man
Christian Eriksen is a man to watch after months of speculation linking the Dane with a move to Old Trafford. When recently probed on the matter, Sir Alex revealed that the 20-year-old is being monitored by a host of Europe’s top clubs. “There's a lot of attention on the young kid, you know, the Danish boy," admitted the United boss. "We'll see what he's like and obviously everybody is going to be watching him.”

Quote/unquote“There is definitely a sense that it would be great to win it because it is something I have never won. It was disappointing to go out of the Champions League, you never want to go out, but we’re out of it and there is nothing we can do about it, so let’s go and win the Europa League now." – Ryan Giggs

Sub-plots“Thursday nights, Channel Five,” is the chant that has echoed around Old Trafford with ironic cheer after United’s defeat in Basel sealed entry into this season’s Europa League. You can expect to hear the now familiar tune again in Amsterdam - but make sure you don't miss the early kick-off. Thursday's game starts at 18:00 GMT, as opposed to the usual 19:45 in the Champions League.

Whistle blower
Gianluca Rocchi will take charge of Thursday’s clash at the Amsterdam Arena. The Italian referee has dished out 62 yellow cards and two red cards from 14 games this season, including two Champions League games involving Arsenal (1-1 away to Borussia Dortmund) and Chelsea (3-0 at home to Valencia).

Rivals watch
In another early kick-off, United's potential opponents in the next round - Lokomotiv Moscow and Athletic Bilbao - meet in the Russian capital. In the later games (kick-off 20:05 GMT), Manchester City have the daunting task of facing holders FC Porto in Portugal while fellow English contenders Stoke City host Valencia in what is possibly the biggest match in the Potters' history

McCoy's Premier League Darts Fixtures Week 1

February 9 - Manchester Arena

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