Ajax V Manchester United: 10 Bold Predictions for Europa League Showdown

Manchester United kick off their UEFA Europa League campaign against Ajax at the Amsterdam Arena on Thursday.

Elimination from the Champions League in December means United will play in Europe's second tier for the remainder of the season. Although supporters and players alike are disappointed to not be challenging for Europe's top honor, United still have an intriguing fixture for the Round of 32.

Ajax is a club with an illustrious history and, like United, have won the Champions League in past seasons. The trip to Amsterdam should provide a fantastic encounter between two historically great clubs.

Sir Alex Ferguson Will Take Europa League Seriously

Sir Alex Ferguson assured supporters that he wants Manchester United to win the Europa League, but there are lingering concerns that he will not give his full respect to the tournament.

After being eliminated from the Champions League, Sir Alex claimed that playing in the Europa League would be their punishment. These comments irritated UEFA president Michel Platini, who responded by launching a fierce defense of Europe's second-tier competition.

Whatever Sir Alex says in the press is always questioned and over-analyzed. Despite assuring supporters that United will aim to win the competition, some still believe he won't take it seriously. 

However, his desire to win the Europa League should be considered nothing but genuine.

With United now eliminated from the Carling Cup and FA Cup, there is no reason that Sir Alex wouldn't give necessary attention to the Europa League. United have the quality and depth of squad necessary to compete in two competitions.

There is no doubt that the Premier League will be the primary ambition of the club, but the Europa League is certainly a winnable competition as well.

United should always strive to win every competition it participates in. That is the United way, and Sir Alex must believe that the Europa League is no exception.

Fabio da Silva Will Start

Fabio da Silva has received limited opportunities to impress this season, but could be one fringe player to start for Manchester United against Ajax.

Without a Premier League fixture this weekend, there is little pressure on Sir Alex Ferguson to rest his key players. However, squad rotation becomes crucial at this stage of the season, and a few players deserve a break.

Fabio's versatility increases his chances of involvement in Amsterdam. His twin brother, Rafael, has become the first-choice right back in recent weeks, and Fabio may be called into deputize while his brother gets some well-earned rest.

On the other side of defense, Patrice Evra has played more games than anyone else in the United squad this season. After a particularly intense few weeks for the left back, including two heated matches against Liverpool, now would be the perfect opportunity to afford Evra a break.

As the season approaches the final stretch, now would be an excellent time for some squad rotation, and Fabio should be involved.

Michael Carrick Will Not Start

Michael Carrick has become the key man in midfield for Manchester United this season, but after starting 13 consecutive matches, it is time he had a break.

Despite incessant criticism from supporters, Carrick stepped up his game this season and put in some outstanding performances. It appears he and Paul Scholes are now the first choice midfield pairing for United, and rightly so, as they have rekindled their superb partnership from previous seasons.

Carrick does a brilliant job at shielding the back four while also providing United with a passing threat. He even chipped in with a few rare goals this season.

Although he has been a crucial part of United's squad this season, the team can win in Amsterdam without him.

Carrick should not be involved against Ajax. He will be an important player as United push for the Premier League title, and with Tom Cleverley ready to make his return, this fixture presents an ideal opportunity to give Carrick some rest.

Tom Cleverley Will Return

Tom Cleverley will return for Manchester United against Ajax after recovering from an injury that's left him sidelined since October.

Sir Alex Ferguson suggested Cleverley may play against Liverpool on Saturday, but the young midfielder was an unused substitute. The Europa League fixture in Amsterdam now seems a certainty for Cleverley to make his highly-anticipated return to action.

Cleverley started the season in brilliant form, impressing against Manchester City in the Community Shield and then starting as a key player for United in their first four Premier League fixtures. An injury against Bolton left Cleverley unavailable until October.

Against Everton, in his second game back from injury, Cleverley was sidelined once again and has yet to feature since.

After a brilliant start to his United career, expectations are high for Cleverley. His return will prove crucial to United's hopes of silverware, but it is important to remember he's only 22 years old. Cleverley's return is cause for excitement, but supporters should not burden him with unreasonable expectations.

Christian Eriksen Will Impress

Christian Eriksen is one of many players linked with a move to Manchester United, and this Europa League tie will be a prime opportunity for him to impress Sir Alex Ferguson.

Midfield is the biggest concern at United right now, and although their worries have been eased by the return of Paul Scholes, a long-term solution is needed. United's assistant coach Rene Meulensteen confirmed Eriksen is a player that the club are looking at as a possible transfer target.

Only 19 years old, Eriksen is a key player for both Ajax and the Denmark national team. He was the youngest player at the 2010 World Cup, and the following season, he made his breakthrough at Ajax, with his performances earning him the Danish Football Player of the Year award in 2011.

Ajax is a good squad with plenty of talented players, but the one player to watch surely must be Eriksen. He possesses a great ability and will prove against United why he is one of the highest rated young talents in the world.

Perhaps his performances against United will persuade Sir Alex to make a move for the Denmark international this summer.

Paul Pogba Will Make His European Debut

Paul Pogba made his Premier League debut for Manchester United against Stoke City in January, and after impressing on that occasion, a European debut is a distinct possibility this season.

While Sir Alex Ferguson vowed to take the Europa League seriously, it is unlikely he would risk the club's Premier League campaign. Key players will be rested to keep them fresh for the Premier League. Sir Alex can field a few fringe players while remaining competitive.

Such situations present excellent opportunities for promising youngsters to play in the first team.

Pogba is considered by many to be the club's most promising young talent, and playing in the Europa League against a big club like Ajax would provide valuable experience for his development.

The 18-year-old midfielder has been on the bench in recent games for United, which suggests Sir Alex believes Pogba is ready for more action.

Do not expect him to start this match, but a late cameo wouldn't be surprising.

Javier Hernandez Will Score

Javier Hernandez scoring for Manchester United may not have been a bold prediction last season, but a "sophomore slump" has seen his production in front of goal diminish.

The equalizing goal Hernandez scored against Chelsea two weeks ago, however, may be the catalyst to kick start his season.

After limited chances the past few weeks, Hernandez will likely be involved significantly against Ajax. United supporters know Hernandez is a fantastic striker, and it is only a matter of time until he gets back to scoring consistently.

Despite not scoring as frequently as he did in 2010/11, Hernandez still scored some crucial goals for United this season. Look for him to grab another important goal against Ajax on Thursday.

Manchester United Will Escape Injury-Free

Manchester United have been plagued by injuries this season this season, but the players will make it through this encounter with Ajax unharmed.

In the match that sealed United's fate in the Europa League, captain Nemanja Vidic had his season ended by a knee injury. A few days later, Darren Fletcher was given indefinite leave with ulcerative colitis.

At times this season, the club have had over 10 players unavailable through injury.

It almost seems like United are more likely to suffer an injury than to complete a match without another player in the treatment room.

Arguably, no club has had to cope with such an injury crisis this season, but United have continued the push for trophies in spite of it. There is finally light at the end of the tunnel, as key players are returning from injury and most of the squad is now available.

The fixture against Ajax should not cause United any further dilemmas in this department. The physicality of the Premier League has taken its toll on United, but European opposition such as Ajax usually do not play the hard-tackling style that is seen in England.

Hopefully, this prediction proves to be correct and United come through unscathed.

David de Gea Will Continue to Prove His Worth

David de Gea showed his worth in recent fixtures against Chelsea and Liverpool, and Ajax will be another display of why Manchester United bought the young Spanish goalkeeper.

Despite conceding three goals against Chelsea, de Gea was not to blame for any of the goals, and he came up big for United with two important saves at the end of the match to secure the draw for United.

Although he was not significantly challenged by Liverpool at Old Trafford, he look more assured in goal and made a very good save against Glen Johnson at the end of the match to make sure United won all three points.

Ajax have the talent to challenge de Gea, but after a few fantastic saves in the past few weeks, his confidence will be high and he'll rise to the challenge.

With Anders Lindegaard out with injury, de Gea has a great opportunity to re-establish himself as the first-choice goalkeeper. His performance against Ajax will continue to prove to Sir Alex Ferguson that de Gea should be the No. 1 goalkeeper at the club.

Manchester United Will Win 2-1

Manchester United have more than enough talent to defeat Ajax in Amsterdam and will return to Old Trafford with a lead in their Europa League Round of 32 tie.

Even if Sir Alex Ferguson chooses to rest a few players for this one, the squad is more than capable of claiming a win at the Amsterdam ArenA. 

Ajax have a talented squad and will challenge United, but Sir Alex's men have what it takes to secure victory. It's hard to see Ajax not getting a goal at their home ground, but United have the firepower to outscore the home side.

It will be a tight affair, but United will go into the second leg at Old Trafford with a 2-1 advantage over Ajax.