He got it all right, on the night. The mood, the strategy, the selections, the plan. Jose Mourinho said the Europa League represented Manchester United’s safest route to Europe’s biggest tournament next season, and he was vindicated here in Stockholm.
This was as straightforward as any European fixture has been for United all season; Mourinho’s team comfortable and superior to a callow Ajax, two goals clear after 48 minutes and in control throughout.
The fear, that the emotion of a traumatic week for Manchester might overwhelm United’s players, did not materialise. They did the job of professionals, exercising their physical superiority over an Ajax team that looked younger than their years, if that was indeed possible.The upshot is that the Premier League – over-rated, inferior in comparison to the great leagues of Europe, according to some – will have five teams in the Champions League next season, qualifiers permitting. This is a good thing.
This experience can only hope United grow under Mourinho, too. The Europa League – and its various predecessors – is the only major competition Manchester United haven’t won. Mourinho will take great pleasure in completing that circle.
So he should. His judgements calls were also vindicated by last night’s events. Paul Pogba, his big ticket summer signing, scored the first, and has gradually come on to a strong finish to the season. Marouane Fellaini, another controversial selection at times, was excellent, playing in a very advanced role that caused Ajax no end of problems.