Manchester United limped into a Europa League last-16 meeting with Athletic Bilbao after a 2-1 defeat by Ajax at Old Trafford left them clinging on to a 3-2 aggregate success.
Two goals ahead of the Dutch giants at kick-off after an excellent performance in Amsterdam seven days ago, the Red Devils got off to the perfect start on Thursday when Javier Hernandez put them in front after just five minutes.
Nani had already forced Kenneth Vermeer into a flying save when Dimitar Berbatov brilliantly found Hernandez with a defence-splitting pass. The Mexican skipped inside Jan Vertonghen before finding the bottom corner.
United failed to capitalise though. And Aras Ozbiliz had levelled on the night after Phil Jones' intervention only presented the Ajax man with a half-volley which he lashed home in clinical fashion.
Home nerves were jangling four minutes from time when Ozbiliz dropped a free-kick on to the head of Toby Alderweireld, who powered home from close range.
Another for the visitors would have sent them through on away goals. Thankfully for a red-faced United, they did not manage it and England avoided another dreadful European night on what has been a pretty poor campaign all round.
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united is a gr8 team but i will give kudos to Ajax for their fantastic display
Who cares whether we limp or crawl or roll into the next round. We are though and will get the cup.
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