sports gazette

AS IT HAPPENED: Manchester United 2-0 Ajax - Europa League Final

Published: 24 May 2017

Man United win!

While hundreds of the world's press head to Stockholm as Manchester United take on Ajax for the Europa League Final, BT Sport are streaming the whole game live on YouTube!

Follow updates below!

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POST MATCH

21:57

That's me signing off, hope you've enjoyed the updates tonight!

21:56

Man United's performance tonight will have done a lot for the city of Manchester, they deserve this.

21:55

Wayne Rooney lifts the trophy on possibly his final United game! They have done it!

21:54

Chris Smalling looks rather miserable, you've just won a European trophy! Cheer up Chris!

21:53

Much prefer trophy presentations in the stands, but I suppose it's much better for those in the stadium to have it on the pitch

21:53

Classy performance, and a classy quote.

21:52

My personal Man of the Match goes the BT Sport & YouTube streams...flawless live stream tonight and something I hope we see more of!

21:51

They were outclassed tonight, but this Ajax team are very young and will go on to great things

21:50

Man United players give Ajax a guard of honour as they pick up their lose-sorry 'runners-up' medals

21:45

They've done it, we'll see Lingard and Pogba do some sort of dance on camera together soon surely?

21:42

Would United fans have taken this at the start of the season?

21:40

Fully deserved for United, Pogba who was fantastic tonight is dancing in front of the United fans

21:39

Mourinho is on the pitch celebrating, he is ecstatic

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SECOND HALF

'90+5 - FULL TIME

They didn't even get the chance to take the free-kick. They've done it! Europa League winners and back in the Champions League!

'90+4

United have a free-kick in their own penalty area. Seconds remaining.

'90+4

So close now! United fans are partying already

'90+2

The rest of the Man United squad are waiting on the touchline including Zlatan Ibrahimovich and his crutches

'90+2

United fans in fine voice, this will be massive for both the club and the city as a whole

'90+1

4 minutes added time! Surely United have won this?

'90

SUBSTITUTION: 559th appearance for the club, club captain Wayne Rooney comes on for Juan Mata for the final few minutes. 

Will it be his last in a United shirt?

'87

Ajax go straight up the other end but the shot is straight at Romero

'87

Lingard goes through on goal after a wonderful pass from Pogba but he can't quite get his shot away and it rolls through to Onana

'84

SUBSTITUTION: Marcus Rashford comes off and the pacey Anthony Martial takes to the field

'81

Less than ten minutes of normal time remaining and Martial is warming up, his energy could be vital to United holding on

'79

This is rather unfortunate for Onana...BT graphics guys having some fun

'77

Little bit of scuffling as Juan Mata booked for a nasty late challenge.

Wayne Rooney is warming up on the sideline and gets involved to break it up.

'74

Man United make their first change, Jessie Lingard comes on for goalscorer Henrik Mkhitaryan

'73

Straight at the wall, might have even hit an Ajax player. Poor effort after all the waiting

'72

Ajax have a free-kick on the edge of the area, the wall is huge!

'70

SUBSTITUTION: Second change of the evening for Ajax, Donny van de Beek replaces Lasse Schone.

'70

A little harsh, but he has been fantastic tonight

'69

Rashford goes down wanting a foul given, but the referee ignores him, if he had stayed on his feet he could've have a chance to wrap the game up

'67

Ajax have been largely disappointing so far, would've hoped they would have created something at least

'65 

Gorgeous cross comes in Pogba but Fellaini doesn't get enough power on the header and the keeper saves

'62

SUBSTITUTION: Kasper Dolberg, who has barely had a touch, comes off and David Neres is on for Ajax

'59

Just one shot on target all game from Ajax and it was straight at the keeper. They need to start turning this possession into chances if they're going to make a game of this

'56

He will be a popular man in Manchester!

'55

What a goal! 

'54

United fans are in a real party mood, fantastic atmosphere

'50

Now they've got the breathing space surely we will see United shut up shop?

'48

Chris Smalling heads it down at a corner and Henrik Mkhitaryan acrobatically puts it in the back of the next inside the six-yard box

'48

GOAL! Mkhitaryan doubles United's lead

'46

Ajax were kept waiting a little bit by United, but we're back underway!

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HALF-TIME 

20:49

Teams are on their way out, here we go!

20:48

Smalling and Blind look like they aren't letting anybody past, Ajax might need to switch things up tactically to break them down

20:46

As Ajax struggle to create chances they might need to switch things up a bit, Dolberg is totally isolated, just 10 touches for him in the first half, the fewest of any player on the pitch

20:43

Too soon BT?

20:40

While those in Stockholm will endulge in wonderful food in the press box, BT Sport's YouTube stream has allowed the blog to be updated from back home, I'm not sure my fridge will have as many delights.

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FIRST HALF

HALF TIME

Manchester United 1-0 Ajax

Paul Pogba's deflected shot gives Man United the lead at half time. Ajax have struggled to create chances and United are arguably lucky to be ahead.

Hope for a more open second half but can't see Mourinho letting that happen

'45+1

Just the one minute added time. Mourinho will be delighted with this half

'45 

Traore breaks into the box but fouls Darmian, still no real chances for the Dutch side

'38

Bertrand Traore's hair is fantastic, but surely it affects his heading ability?

'32

Here is the goal that gave United the lead!

Fantastic of BT to share the goals on Twitter for free, enjoyed their coverage so far tonight.

'31

Answering his critics?

'29

Pogba is very much up for this, working hard defensively and going forwards. Worth the money?

'28

KIT WATCH: It's slightly irritating how Man United's shorts are a slightly different shade of blue. Why do manufacturers do this!?

'26

Ajax growing into this game but can't break through the tough defence. Will Mourinho park his bus?

'22

I don't know why, but the only goalkeeper I trust that wears short sleeves is Iker Casillas, Onana doesn't look right 

'20 

Corner comes in from Ajax but doesn't reach any of the players in the area and it's a goal-kick to Manchester United

'19

Edge of the area, Paul Pogba's shot is massively deflected and loops over the keeper

'18

GOOOALLLL! Man United take the lead! Pogba scores!

'15

Ajax on the attack but the shot is straight at Romero, he'll be happy with that all night

'12

Another stray long ball from Paul Pogba, one of them will come off soon maybe...

'11

Manchester United happy to let Ajax have the ball amongst the back four but as soon as they try to go forward, Mourinho's men are right in their face

'10

Man United have had much more of the ball so far, Ajax struggling to get out of their own half

'3

Marcus Rashford finds the ball at his feet in the penalty area but he is closed down before he gets the chance to get a shot away

'1

We are underway! Pogba has an early effort but it is sent wide!

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PRE MATCH ACTION:

19:45

A minute's silence for those who lost their lives in Manchester on Monday night

19:44

KIT WATCH: Ajax are in their classic White and red, is there a sexier kit in Europe? Manchester United are in their familiar change colours of all blue, they've won before in Europe in these colours!

19:42

The teams are on their way out! Not long now!

19:39

This is amazing! Wonder if Man United fans will sing some Bob Marley back?

19:38

"If Manchester United win this trophy, they're not just representing Manchester, and England as a whole" - Rio Ferdinand

19:31

I bet United fans wish they had these guys at the back tonight!

19:30

15 minutes until kick-off! BT Sport's coverage has been fantastic so far, enjoying seeing the fans fill up behind the pundits.

Manchester United make their way in to get kitted up and have one final chat with their manager

19:24

Could we see a repeat 22 years on!?

19:18

"What I'm expecting is a big match" - Jose Mourinho

19:17

Following the tragic events in Manchester this week, Jose Mourinho has said it has made preparing for the match more difficult

19:15

Lots of people enjoying the YouTube live stream then!

19:06

Vote in our Twitter poll!

19:05

I wonder who they're supporting?

19:02

He's not playing but he's in the building!

18:56

This is the attitude from a lot of Manchester United fans, does this undervalue the competition?

18:53

Great interview with Marcus Rashford from Des Kelly on BT Sport...He made his Manchester United debut in the Europa League

Will he be the star tonight!?

18:49

The youngest ever team in a European final! Can this youthful Ajax team win tonight?

18:47

The teams are in! David De Gea on the bench and Antonio Valencia captains the Manchester United side

18:39

Brilliant stream so far from BT Sport, Jake Humphrey speaks to Henrik Larsson, Rio Ferdinand and Michael Owen

18:37

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