in ,

3 Players United Will Have To Be Wary Of – Ajax

Next Thursday, March 16th, Manchester United kick off their Europa League campaign with a tricky tie away to AFC Ajax. The Dutch champions are very similar to Utd in many ways; they have great history and tradition, a renowned youth set-up and are also well known for their attractive style of football. 

Their current manager is Dutch legend Frank De Boer who captained Ajax and the Dutch national team on many occasions. The first leg of the last 32 tie will take place at the famous Amsterdam Arena and Ajax will be looking to use their home advantage to gain a lead going into the return leg at Old Trafford a week later. 

Here I take a look at who i see as Ajax’s 3 key players who United will need to keep a close eye on:

Jan Vertonghen

Ajax captain Vertonghen is a left-footed centre back who is also adept playing as a left-back or a defensive midfielder. The twenty-four-year-old Belgian international is not only a key figure in the heart of the Ajax defence he is also a goal threat too and has a quite impressive goal tally for someone in his position, he possesses a sweet left-foot and takes many of Ajax’s free kicks.

Vertonghen joined the club at the age of sixteen and has progressed through the ranks and is now the club captain after the departure of goalkeeper Maarten Stekelenburg to Roma last summer. Although Vertonghen is 6’2 he is quite an elegant player and is very comfortable bringing the ball out of defence to help start attacks and isn’t afraid to have a shot when he has a sight of goal. 

Christian Eriksen

Eriksen is Ajax’s star player and one of the most exciting youngsters in world football. The Danish footballer of the year only turns 20 two days before Ajax and Utd meet but he is already coveted by many of Europe’s top teams and has earned praise from the likes of Johan Cruyff, Frank Lampard and Rio Ferdinand.

Eriksen is an attacking midfielder who can play through the centre or from the left and he possesses great close control and fantastic skill along with superb vision and a lethal turn of pace. He is comfortable with both feet and is a big danger from set pieces, whether it be shooting or delivering a ball into the box.

Eriksen is the man who makes Ajax tick, the majority of their play goes through him so Utd will need to keep a very close eye on the youngster. Although he has stated that he’s currently happy in Amsterdam i would be very surprised if he is still there next season, he is clearly destined for bigger things and what a great chance to prove his talent in the games against the Premiership Champions. 

Miralem Sulejmani

Serbian attacker Sulejmani is the most expensive player in the Eredivise having signed from Heerenveen in July 08 for a record 16m Euros. He had a difficult start to his Ajax career but since Frank De Boer took over as manager he has been in outstanding form which has led to enquiries from clubs such as Arsenal, Valencia and Malaga.

Sulejmani is comfortable playing anywhere in attack but is most dangerous when playing on either wing due to his great pace and terrific crossing ability. He’s a very unselfish player and works his socks off for the team, it is not surprising to see him tracking back and making tackles to help out his defence. The little Serbian has a lovely left foot and isn’t afraid to shoot from distance so Utd will need to be on their toes whenever he is in possession.  

By Joe Taylor @JoeyTmufc

One Comment

  1. Interesting piece. Did you watch those players or did you write this article without any researcg, what so ever? Eriksen, hasn't been playing his best in recent weeks. Far from it. Same goes for Sulejmani. Only one who's been able to reach an decent level after his return from injury is Vertonghen.

Valencia Is United’s Unsung Hero!

Why Judgement And Errors Have Tarnished Evra & Terry Racism Cases