Young: Netted the opener

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Ajax Amsterdam 0-2 Man Utd

Manchester United took a major stride towards the last-16 of the Europa League with a 2-0 victory over Ajax Amsterdam on Thursday.

The Red Devils prevailed through second-half strikes from Ashley Young (59) and Javier Hernandez (85) at Amsterdam ArenA, with the return leg set for Old Trafford next week.

Young’s opener was his first United goal since September. The ex-Aston Villa winger last found the net in a Champions League home draw with Basel, which manager Sir Alex Ferguson felt cost his team their place in the competition. 

The first half was a dreary affair, with Nani and Wayne Rooney showing some attacking intent for United, while at the other Christian Eriksen and Siem de Jong called David de Gea into action with useful efforts.

The Dutch hosts had a strong shout for a penalty just before the break after Miralem Sulejman went down under a challenge from Rio Ferdinand. The referee Gianluca Rocchi, however, ruled in favour of United’s stand-in skipper.

Ferguson’s men eventually broke the deadlock just before the hour-mark, as Young drilled a low shot into the net following a cross from Nani.

Hernandez then sealed the result late on with his third goal in as many games after linking up incisively with Rooney. It was the Mexican’s ninth goal of the campaign.