(Getty)
Final Score
Manchester United – 1 – 1 2
Ajax – 0 – 0 0
Final Whistle:
Goal: Mkhitaryan (48′)
Goal: Pogba (18′)
Pregame
Both teams observe a moment of silence before kickoff for the victims of Monday’s tragedy in Manchester. #UELfinal t.co/BE131YISV7
Preview
Manchester United need to gather themselves and focus for a massive Europa League final in Stockholm.
For opposing side Ajax, there’s nothing but upside. The team finished second in Eredivisie by one point while fielding the youngest lineup in league history. They’ve already qualified for Champions League, but are now chasing the club’s first European title since 1995.
For United, manager Jose Mourinho needs the Cup to salvage the team’s season. Mourinho focused his team on Europa League over the past month, and it caused United to finish sixth in the Premier League table. If United don’t win Europa League and a Champions League place, the club could lose potential earnings as high as £50 million.
Mourunho has faced Ajax six times in his career, all with Real Madrid. He won all six of those meetings with an aggregate score of 20-2. But Mourinho is short-handed for the final, especially after Eric Bailly earned a suspension in the final minutes against Celta Vigo. Zlatan Ibrahimovic, who will have a statue built outside Friends Arena in the near future, has a knee injury and will not be able to play in front of his hometown fans.
Kickoff starts at 2:45 p.m. Eastern and will air on Fox Sports 1 in the US. Users in the UK can watch a free stream on YouTube. Before the match, there will be a minute of silence to remember those killed in Monday’s terrorist attack in Manchester.
Stay here for full match updates, including video of every goal.