Remarkably, the 2017 Europa League was the last time the Red Devils added a trophy to what was at the time a bulging cabinet of unprecedented success.
With United harboring hopes of adding another second-tier European trophy to their list this season, it well worth reading up on the Red Devils chances of success at a soccer site or two in order to give yourself the best chance of getting a winner in the betting markets.
So, with the Europa League a hot topic, we decided to look at where the eleven players are now who defeated Ajax 2-0 in the 2017 final.
S. Romero – GK
United’s number two was rewarded for his consistent performance between the sticks in the competition that year making twelve appearances throughout.
Romero is still at the club today with a contract until 2021 and is still firmly number two behind David de Gea.
A. Valencia – RB
Antonio Valencia had a distinguished career at United including over 240 Premier League appearances in the red shirt from 2009 to 2019.
In the summer the Ecuadorian returned to his home nation and signed for L.D.U. Quito on a free after his United contract was not renewed.
C. Smalling – CB
England interntional Chris Smalling has never quite fulfilled his potential since joining the club from in 2010. However, still on the books at Old Trafford, Smalling is currently on loan at Roma and having the season of his life.
D. Blind – CB
Undoubtedly a talented defender with over sixty caps for the Netherlands, Blind was a regular for the Red Devils making close to 100 league appearances in his four years with the club.
Ironically, Blind now plays for the side United beat in the final having joined Ajax in 2018.
M. Darmian – LB
Another player to never quite fulfill his potential in Manchester after joining from Torino in 2015. He had his chances but left Old Trafford in 2019 to go back to Italy and sign for Parma on a four-year deal.
A. Herrera – DM
Herrera’s five seasons at United can widely be regarded as a success. The defensive midfielder gave the Red Devils some much needed steel so it was something of a surprise when he was allowed to leave to join French giants PSG on a free transfer in the summer.
J. Mata – RM
For a number of seasons, Spaniard Juan Mata proved himself as one of Europe’s most talented midfielders. Form has been a little hit and miss at United but he still remains at the club with a contract until 2021.
M. Fellaini – CM
A marmite kind of player at Old Trafford but Fellaini could also get the job done when the going got tough. In January 2019 it was announced the Belgian would transfer to Chinese outfit Shandong Luneng Taishan F.C.
P. Pogba – CM
Controversial? Yes. Talented? Undoubtedly. Get Paul Pogba at his best and he is unstoppable, however, for United that days does not appear to come enough and the rumours are he will be leaving sooner rather than later.
H. Mkhitaryan – LM
It just never quite clicked for Mkhitaryan at either United or Arsenal. Still on the books at the Gunners, the Armenian is on loan with Chris Smalling at Roma and getting game time.
M. Rashford – CF
Undoubtedly still one of United’s hottest prospects, prior to injury, Rashford was having the finest season of his career this year and will surely be with United for many years to come.