Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson relishing Ajax showdown in Europa League

The Old Trafford manager has never faced the Dutch giants in competitive football, while Eredivisie star Christian Eriksen & club coach Frank de Boer react to the draw

Dec 16, 2011 1:56:00 PM

By Miles Chambers

More On :  Ajax, Man Utd., Sir Alex Ferguson, Frank De Boer, Christian Eriksen
CL - FC Basel 1893 v Manchester United, Sir Alex Ferguson
Getty Images

Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson is relishing the prospect of facing Ajax in the last 32 of the Europa League.

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The Premier League club were knocked out of the Champions League at the group stage for only the third time in 17 years, following a 2-1 away defeat to Basel.

However, the tie against the Dutch is evocative of a top European clash, and the Old Trafford boss revealed he has yet to face Ajax in competitive football in his long managerial career.

Ferguson told the club’s official website: “Ajax are a good team and I've never faced them in competitive European football. I'm looking forward to it.”

The winner of the tie will face either Lokomotiv Moscow or Athletic Bilbao is the last-16 of the tournament.

Ajax manager Frank de Boer expressed his delight at drawing a quality club like Manchester United and said he expects the English side to be tough adversaries.

“United is a fantastic opponent. I'd rather had them in the Champions League, but that's behind us now,” the Dutch coach lamented to reporters after the draw. “We can't do anything about it anymore.

“We do have chances against them because I don't expect them to start with their best squad. Still they will bring quality players on the pitch.

“Of course it's difficult to see Lyon draw APOEL Nicosia, because if we were there we stood a good chance.

“I think it's going to be a good experience for the trainers and off course for the players, that's the most important thing

“I think I played one friendly match against Manchester United myself. It was when Peter Schmeichel was still goalkeeper at Old Trafford.

“Correct me if I'm wrong but I thought I scored a free kick that match.”

On Twitter, 19-year-old Ajax midfielder Christian Eriksen responded to the draw with excitement and reacted with a taunt towards Old Trafford goalkeeper Anders Lindegaard, who joined the current Premier League holders in January.

He said: “We have drawn Manchester United in the Europa League! Sorry @ALindegaard but you are going down!”

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