Ajax 0 - 2 Manchester Utd: United hold advantage as Young sparks win over Ajax

Ashley Young’s first Manchester United goal since September set Sir Alex Ferguson’s men on their way to a comfortable first-leg win over Ajax last night in the last 32 of the Europa League.

The last time Young scored was a last-gasp face-saver against Basel at Old Trafford, in a match which Ferguson still regards as the draw that cost his team their place in the Champions League.

After a poor first half, the visitors roused themselves and Young’s 59th-minute strike came at the end of their most threatening spell, the England man tucking home after Nani’s cross was deflected into his path.

Javier Hernandez added a second six minutes from time to secure a win that will allow Ferguson to take a pragmatic approach to next week’s second leg.

As Tom Cleverley was handed his European debut after playing just twice since the beginning of September, Nani and Phil Jones back after four-match absences and Young only just returned from a pre-Christmas injury, it was perhaps no surprise United were so far off the pace.

Too many first touches and passes went astray and it was left to Wayne Rooney to provide the visitors’ main threat, although a 25-yard effort lacked the venom to beat Kenneth Vermeer with their best chance of the first half.

Siem de Jong came closest to breaking the deadlock for Ajax, also from long-range, and David De Gea needed to stretch to keep the wide man’s shot out.

There was a talking point in the final minute though when Miralem Sulejmani went down under Rio Ferdinand’s challenge. Ajax were convinced it was a penalty. Italian referee Gianluca Rocchi decided otherwise, leaving Ferdinand to hobble down the tunnel for his break.

Ferdinand was able to return for a second half that United began with far more zip and it was no surprise they broke the deadlock just before the hour.

Nani for once managed to find a team-mate with a cross that flicked off an Ajax defender. Young steadied himself after beating Vurnon Anita, eventually drilling a low shot through a crowd of bodies.

Young was later replaced by Antonio Valencia and the Ecuadorian began the move that ended with Hernandez exchanging passes with Rooney before slotting home to seal the win. Valencia was injured as he set Hernandez on his way and was instantly taken off by Ferguson, who later confirmed the winger is facing four weeks out of action after injuring his hamstring.