Europa League 2016/17: 5 reasons why Manchester United do not deserve to lift the trophy

Celta Vigo v Manchester United - UEFA Europa League - Semi Final: First leg : News Photo
Manchester United are one step away from the finals of the Europa League, but do they deserve to win it?

#2 The Ajax resurgence must be completed

Ajax Amsterdam v Olympique Lyonnais - Uefa Europa League - Semi Final First leg : News Photo
Ajax have a young and vibrant squad

One of the most striking arguments for why United don’t deserve to be crowned Europa League winners is that their Dutch counterparts Ajax simply deserve it more. The Eredivisie side obliterated Lyon in midweek, after having demonstrated incredible psychological prowess to dispatch Schalke 4-3 on aggregate in the last round. As things stand then, it seems Peter Bosz’s side will lock horns with the Red Devils in the final.

The Amsterdam Arena, soon to be named officially after Ajax and Netherlands legend Johan Cruyff, has been a fortress in the Europa League, with the club having conceded just three goals at home in the competition this term.

It is not, however, robust defensive football which leaves opponents quaking in their boots, but the youthful exuberance and flair with which they attack. The average age of the side which beat Lyon was just 22 years and 137 days and of the ten youngest XIs put out in this season’s competition, Ajax have fielded nine of them.

It’s been a fairy-tale campaign for the Netherlands’ most successful club and if there’s any justice left in football, they’d secure the title with victory, most likely over United, in the final.

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Edited by Staff Editor
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