Valencia out for a month as injury sours United march towards last 16
AJAX 0 vs MAN UNITED 2
MANCHESTER UNITED boss Sir Alex Ferguson admitted to mixed feelings last night after taking a huge step towards the Europa League last 16 but losing winger Antonio Valencia to injury.
Ferguson was “delighted” at a comfortable win, earned by second-half goals from winger Ashley Young and striker Javier Hernandez, that makes them hot favourites to progress at Old Trafford in a fortnight.
But his evening was soured by Valencia’s hamstring problem, which he predicted would keep the Ecuador star out for a month as United look to overhaul rivals Manchester City in the Premier League run-in.
“I’m delighted with the scoreline,” said Ferguson. “It was not a brilliant performance, but good enough. At home we have a good opportunity to get through.”
On Valencia, who has emerged as a key figure in Ferguson’s latest United team, he added: “It will be four weeks. It is a bad blow for us.”
Young (left) opened the scoring on 59 minutes when Ajax failed to clear Nani’s cross and the former Aston Villa player cut inside onto his right foot to drive a shot between the legs of goalkeeper Kenneth Vermeer.
Hernandez added a breakaway second with five minutes left, exchanging passes with Wayne Rooney before his low shot ricocheted in off the diving Vermeer.
United will face Athletic Bilbao or Lokomotiv Moscow if they qualify for the next round.