Europa League 2017 final: Edwin van der Sar’s dilemma!
Manchester United and Ajax Amsterdam stood firm against their opponents last night to book a place in the 2016-17 Europa League final billed for May 24th at the Friends Arena, Stockholm, Sweden.
The dutch giants made it to their first final in an European competition since 1996 when they lost to Juventus in Champions League final while Manchester United are in the final of the 2nd-tier competition for the first time in their history.
Manchester United who have gone from 6th-6th in the premier League must beat Ajax to stand a chance of playing in the Champions League next season. A victory for Jose Mourinho side wouldn’t just give them a Champions League football but also an inclusion into an exclusive list.
Manchester United could join the likes of Ajax, Juventus, Bayern and Chelsea as the only the clubs to have won all three major European trophies.
United won the European Cup in 1968, 1999 and 2008, and the European Cup Winners’ Cup in 1991, a victory in Stockholm in May would make them only the fifth club in the exclusive list of clubs to have won all three of UEFA’s major trophies.
But one man could be on the spot come May 24th. Former Ajax and Manchester United goalkeeper Edwin van der Sar, who is now CEO of the Dutch club, might have divided loyalties in the Europe League final next month.
One could easily conclude that his heart would be with his present employers but considering his tie with Manchester United where he further cemented his legendary status in world football, I bet you don’t want to be in his shoes.
What a final in Stockholm! Different trophy but two great clubs. @AFCAjax @ManUtd #WeAreBack @EuropaLeague #ajautd pic.twitter.com/ErGwqQcnPR
— Edwin van der Sar (@vdsar1970) May 11, 2017
He is Ajax CEO I expect him to be on their side not Manure!