PARIS: Manchester United's march towards the latter stages of the Europa League looks set to continue on Thursday when they line up against Ajax at Old Trafford leading 2-0 from the first leg in the round of 32.
United's exit from the Champions League following a 2-1 defeat at FC Basel in December was a huge shock to the club's fans and came barely seven months after defeat by Barcelona in the final of Europe's premier club competition.
To their credit, Sir Alex Ferguson's side have put their full weight behind the Champions League's poorer relation and, at this stage, must be considered among the favourites to reach the May 9 final.
United have yet to be beaten at home by a Dutch side and defender Chris Smalling, set to return to the starting 11 after sitting on the bench at the Amsterdam ArenA, says the players are committed to winning the competition.
"Obviously we'd still like to be in the Champions League but we're looking at the Europa League as a second chance," Smalling told.
"We're going to go out there and show Europe we can still perform and we can still win trophies.
"We want to reach the final, although we know it won't be easy. All of the players will be going out on the pitch and giving our all to reach the final."
United, however, could find the going tougher in the latter stages of the competition. (AFP)
United's exit from the Champions League following a 2-1 defeat at FC Basel in December was a huge shock to the club's fans and came barely seven months after defeat by Barcelona in the final of Europe's premier club competition.
To their credit, Sir Alex Ferguson's side have put their full weight behind the Champions League's poorer relation and, at this stage, must be considered among the favourites to reach the May 9 final.
United have yet to be beaten at home by a Dutch side and defender Chris Smalling, set to return to the starting 11 after sitting on the bench at the Amsterdam ArenA, says the players are committed to winning the competition.
"Obviously we'd still like to be in the Champions League but we're looking at the Europa League as a second chance," Smalling told.
"We're going to go out there and show Europe we can still perform and we can still win trophies.
"We want to reach the final, although we know it won't be easy. All of the players will be going out on the pitch and giving our all to reach the final."
United, however, could find the going tougher in the latter stages of the competition. (AFP)