Ajax's Toby Alderweireld (C) celebrates scoring with Aras
Ozbiliz (23) during their Europa League second leg round of
32 match against Manchester United at Old Trafford in
Manchester. REUTERS/Phil Noble
Manchester United have scraped into the last 16 of the
Europa League despite being outplayed in a 2-1 home loss to
Ajax Amsterdam.
Missing Wayne Rooney due to a throat infection, United
squeezed through 3-2 on aggregate after a nerve-wracking
finale and another shaky performance at Old Trafford where
they have won one of only four European matches this season.
United, 2-0 ahead from the first leg, appeared to be cruising
when Javier Hernandez put them ahead after six minutes with a
clinical goal.
The slick-passing Dutch side refused to be overawed and
leveled with a superb left-foot strike from Aras Ozbiliz in
the 37th minute despite a suspected handball by Nicolas
Lodeiro in the buildup.
Ajax, the first Dutch team to win at Old Trafford, took
control of the game and were unlucky not to go ahead just
before the hour when Siem de Jong's header was brilliantly
turned over the goal by David De Gea.
Although United eased Ajax's grip after Paul Scholes came on,
defender Toby Aldeweireld stole ahead of hesistant defenders
to head home from an inswinging free kick in the 87th minute.
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