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Three Ajax men that could cause problems for Manchester United in Stockholm
Manchester United and Ajax will lock horns in Stockholm on Wednesday evening with both sides looking to end their long and eventful seasons with success in the Europa League final.
Jose Mourinho’s side will be looking to complete their trophy cabinet with the one piece of silverware that’s proved elusive in the club’s history, and will no doubt go all out to claim victory.
On the other hand, the Dutch side will be appearing in a European final for the first time since their Champions League appearance 20 years ago and will be hoping their young side come out on top.
See below for three players that could crash Manchester United’s Europa League party in Stockholm…
Davy Klaassen
One of the eldest and most experience players in the Ajax ranks is forward Davy Klaassen, a man who has been influential in their challenge on both a domestic and European front this season.
The Ajax captain has notched nine goals in the Dutch league this season, adding 14 assists to that tally, and has been at the forefront of any attacking play that Ajax have produced this season.
The 24-year-old is prolific in front of goal – there is no other word for it – and his instincts to be in the right place at the right time inside the area will make him a huge threat on Wednesday night.
But it’s not just his goal-scoring traits that leaves him a threat, as he’s created as many chances (58) this season as shots he’s had (60) in the Eredivisie and it’s this versatility that leaves him dangerous.
With Manchester United’s key man Eric Bailly ruled out through suspension, Klaassen will be licking his lips at an experimental United back four and will be looking to exploit any weaknesses.
Kasper Dolberg
The young Ajax man has really hit the headlines in his debut season at the Dutch side this year, bursting on to the scene after being scouted by the man who found a certain Zlatan Ibrahimovic.
At just 19-years-old the Danish forward has scored 16 goals in the league this year, showing an exceptional ability with both feet and having a turn of pace that could give defenders nightmares.
The quality of his performances this year has seen him become almost undroppable in the Ajax side, and is just reward when considering he hit an 18-minute hat-trick in just his third month in the team.
Dolberg possesses a composure that is almost uncommon for somebody of his age, having a level head in front of goal to stay cool and stick the ball in the net – and Sergio Romero should stay wary.
It could certainly turn into a battle of the 19-year-olds forwards in Stockholm between Dolberg and Marcus Rashford, with both having the raw talent needed to spur their side on to a huge victory.
Bertrand Traore
Currently on-loan from Manchester United’s Premier League rivals Chelsea, Betrand Traore has suddenly started thriving at the Dutch side in recent months.
Given few chances at Stamford Bridge under first Jose Mourinho and now Antonio Conte, the 21-year-old has hit 13 goals in 36 matches this season and has impressed in a role on the Ajax wings.
His passing in the final third has improved substantially under the excellent coaching in Holland – ably helped by Arsenal legend Dennis Bergkamp – and his intelligence on the football field has also developed well in the space of ten months, now knowing the right time to run in behind a defence.
His pace will always cause problems for any back-line, and there’s no doubt that Traore has the brute strength to back this up; now it’s a case of using it to good effect in a massive game for Ajax.
It was his brace in the semi-final first-leg against Lyon that put Ajax firmly in the driving seat to reach the final, and Manchester United would do well to keep a careful eye on the youngster in Stockholm.
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