Europa League: Ajax v Manchester United – in pictures

It's Thursday afternoon and United's fans have arrived in Amsterdam early. Needs must, it's a 6pm kick-off after all. Long gone are the late Tuesday and Wednesday night matches they've thrived on for the past decade and a half Photograph: Marcel Antonisse/EPA

Mounted riot police have to be utilised to quell problems with Ajax supporters in the city's red light district Photograph: Marcel Antonisse/EPA

Inside the stadium, Dennis Bergkamp, who is the assistant manager of Ajax these days, waits for the teams to take to the pitch. His old club Arsenal were throttled 4-0 by Milan in the Champions League last night. Hard to imagine a repeat of that scoreline in Ajax's favour tonight though, especially as United seem to be taking this tournament seriously ... after all, Fergie's never won it before Photograph: Ian Kington/AFP/Getty Images

Phil Jones (pictured) is among a changed but experienced United starting eleven. The full line-up reads: De Gea, Jones, Ferdinand, Evans, Fabio Da Silva, Nani, Carrick, Cleverley, Young, Rooney, Hernandez. Photograph: Jasper Juinen/Getty Images

Not only is Tom Cleverley back after an ankle injury, it's his European debut and he puts in an assured performance Photograph: Jasper Juinen/Getty Images

Midway through the first half there's almost a chance for United when Hernandez goes charging through to meet a defence splitting pass but the Ajax keeper Vermeer scrambles from his goalmouth to smoother the ball at the Mexican's feet Photograph: Jasper Juinen/Getty Images

In the dying seconds of the half there's a big shout from the home team and fans for a penalty when Miralem Sulejmani takes a tumble in the area after a challenge by Rio Ferdinand, the referee has a long hard think about it but signals play on Photograph: OLAF KRAAK/EPA

There must have been words in both dressing rooms at half time as the two sides seem a bit sprightlier as the second half unfolds. Just before the hour mark Ashley Young picks the ball up from a Nani cross, traverses across the area and pings it in from 10 yards. 1-0 United Photograph: Ian Kington/AFP/Getty Images

Ajax come themselves step it up a gear in an attempt to grab an equaliser and they go close on a couple of occasions but there's nothing to unduly worry David De Gea Photograph: Peter Dejong/AP

With five minutes to go United double their lead when Javier Hernandez plays a one two with Rooney and after receiving the ball back the Mexican striker lifts his head and hits his shot under the keeper and into the Ajax net, 2-0. And that's how it stays. A good result for United and an improved performance in the second half, although there is a worry for Alex Ferguson as Valencia hobbled off after picking up an injury in the build-up to the second goal Photograph: Jasper Juinen/Getty Images