Manchester United Preview: Predicting the Starting Lineup vs Ajax

It seems almost an age ago since United were sensationally knocked out of the Champions League, and since then it seems that both the club and the fans have come to terms with the fact that their new spot in the Europa League's Last 32 needs to be taken seriously.

The only big news on the team is that Dimitar Berbatov, Ryan Giggs and Patrice Evra will not be traveling to Holland for the match.

Sir Alex Ferguson named a strong preliminary squad for the match against Ajax, and it turns out it will definitely be worth tuning in on Thursday night.

Fergie said the following to Manutd.com on Sunday:

"

I'm definitely treating it seriously. The great thing about Thursday is we don't have a game next Saturday so I can play my strongest team and will play my strongest team. The thing is to look forward to it. It's still European football and still a good standard. It'll be a full house too with a great stadium and a great pitch. They're not having a great time at the moment but I think, playing United, they will be well motivated for it and always play nice football too.

"

Will we see an annihilation or an atrocity in Amsterdam? Here's the team that I think will be turning out for the game.

Know Your Enemy

Ajax were also dumped out of the Champions League, from a group which included Real Madrid, Olympique Lyonnais and Dynamo Kyiv. Unlike United, Ajax's departure came via the medium of goal difference.

"The Sons of the Gods," as they are affectionately known as to their fans, finished atop Eredivisie last season. However, this year they are not faring as well, finding themselves in sixth at the moment.

Statistically, Ajax score most of their goals between the 60th and 75th minute, which could be a time for Sir Alex to bring on a fresh defender or a more defence-minded midfielder.

Their most vulnerable time is the last 15 minutes of games, which is when they have conceded most goals this season. Maybe the introduction of a pacy striker like Javier Hernandez or Danny Welbeck from the bench at this time could really put the Ajax defence to the test.

Ajax are riding a wave of momentum right now with four wins from their last five games. They need to be taken seriously.

Key Players

Jan Vertonghen (Defender)

Jan Vertonghen is undoubtedly a name which you will have heard of as the Belgian defender has been linked to the likes of Arsenal, Tottenham, Bayern Munich and even United in the past 18 months.

Hi biggest fan is ex-Dutch international Johan Cruyff, who allegedly recommended the defender to Barcelona at one point. Vertonghen has shown in the past that he can play anywhere across the defence and even push up to a defensive/central midfield role.

This season he has made 18 appearances out of a possible 21 in Eredivisie, scoring three and creating another.

Christian Eriksen (Midfielder)

If you read any Manchester United transfer speculation article in January, then you will no doubt have come across Christian Eriksen's name.

The Danish midfielder has featured in all of Ajax's league games this season, notching five goals. However, more impressively, he has tallied 11 assists so far this season—a record better than Antonio Valencia this season, for those keeping score.

Maybe what is most surprising is that Eriksen is only 20 years old and no doubt has a big career ahead of him. Expect to see him plying his trade in England or Spain in years to come, but more importantly expect him to cause havoc amongst the United back line on Thursday.

Miralem Sulejmani (Striker)

Ajax's top scorer this season has amassed 11 league goals in 19 games and is definitely a player to take seriously.

Manager Frank de Boer considers him to be one of the future talents of Europe, and in 2008 he was named the best young player in Holland—a prize which has also been won by the likes of Robin van Persie, Wesley Sneijder and Rafael van der Vaart.

In Ajax's 4-3-3 formation, he is usually deployed on the right wing.

Manager: Frank de Boer

Dutch Legend Frank de Boer took charge of Ajax in 2010, winning the Eredivisie title in his very first season. Having been in charge for 52 games now, he has a win percentage of 61.54 percent—just pipping Sir Alex's win record of 59.34 percent.

De Boer is an up-and-coming manager, and the big scalp of Man United would be a dazzling addition to his CV.

Goalkeeper: David De Gea

Since Anders Lindegaard's injury, David De Gea really seems to have taken the bull by the horns. Impressive performances against both Liverpool and Chelsea have given the United fans a glimmer of hope that his "rough patch" is over.

While some may think that Amos could be used for this fixture, it would seem silly to kill the momentum that De Gea has been building over the last couple of weeks.

Sir Alex's preliminary squad suggests that he wants to go into this game all guns blazing, and De Gea would be the logical choice to go between the sticks.

Defence: Rafael, Jonny Evans, Rio Ferdinand and Fabio

With Patrice Evra not traveling to the game, the only change I foresee is the inclusion of Fabio at left-back. Fabio has struggled to get a game for United this season thanks to injury and the fact that he has often been considered Evra's understudy.

The game on Thursday will give us a chance to see Fabio in action again, as he is likely to get the nod ahead of rookie Ezekiel Fryers.

Despite Phil Jones and Chris Smalling's recent returns to fitness, Rafael will undoubtedly retain his place at right-back. Alongside Antonio Valencia, Rafael has provided a lot of attacking threat for United over the past couple of games, and above all has shown that he is fearless on the pitch.

Jonny Evans is often on the wrong end of the wrath of the United faithful. However, he put in a good shift against Liverpool in United's previous game. Again, the likes of Jones and Smalling will also be available, but Fergie's fanaticism of Evans will no doubt give him the nudge into the starting lineup.

Rio Ferdinand allowed United hearts to skip a beat on Saturday after his questionable tackle on Luis Suarez (for the record, I thought it was a perfectly-timed tackle). While his error led to Suarez's goal, he will likely reprise his role at centre-back.

Midfield: Antonio Valencia, Michael Carrick, Tom Cleverley and Nani

Ryan Giggs' exclusion from the preliminary squad offers the chance for Nani to reclaim his place in the squad. Despite this, he is unlikely to head straight back to the right side of the midfield thanks to the formidable form of Antonio Valencia, whose assists and general attacking contribution have been vital to Man United's last couple of months.

Speaking of great form, Michael Carrick has turned quite a few heads this season with his consistent performances and his brand new energy for taking the ball forward. Since Paul Scholes' return to United, he and Carrick have looked fantastic in the centre of midfield—the passing in particular has been phenomenal.

While Scholes has been in great form, I think Fergie will take this opportunity to get Tom Cleverley back into the starting lineup so he can get a game under his belt before United face Norwich on February 26th. Expect him to be subbed for either Scholes or Pogba in the second half.

What both Cleverley and Fergie will want to avoid is an Owen Hargreaves-esque return to action.

Attack: Wayne Rooney and Danny Welbeck

How can you separate these two right now?

Wayne Rooney and Danny Welbeck have been a formidable force over the last couple of weeks and this was particularly evident against Liverpool on Saturday. Welbeck has really flourished alongside Wayne Rooney and is looking increasingly confident every week.

Two things I particularly noticed against Liverpool was his cheeky touches to set off his teammates and his fearless runs at the opposition defence.

However, what I have also noticed is that he gets a little overconfident when he plays without Rooney, and at times looks selfish.

With Hernandez's regular partner Dimitar Berbatov not included in the preliminary squad, you'd have to think that he will start from the bench. Like I mentioned in the "Know Your Enemy" portion of this preview, Ajax concede most of their goals in the final 15 minutes of games, which is when Hernandez's athleticism could really come in handy.

In my mind, Welbeck and Rooney is looking to be a bromance made in heaven right now. It would be silly to split them up.