Manchester United have been crowned Europa League champions after defeating Ajax 2-0 in Stockholm on Wednesday night.
In what was an emotionally charged match following the horrific Manchester attacks on Monday night, goals from Paul Pogba and Henrikh Mkhitaryan in either half was enough to see United lift the trophy, and more importantly, secure Champions League qualification for next season.
The pressure leading into the match had begun weeks ago, when Jose Mourinho focused his team solely on the Europa League, steering his side away from the traditional avenue of trying to finish within the Premier League top four.
It was a huge risk from the Portuguese, but from what could have just been a top-four finish season like their rivals Tottenham, Man City and Liverpool, Mourinho has managed to win the League Cup and Europa League in his first season in charge of the club.
The 54-year's old nerves were quickly settled within the first 20 minutes of play, when Paul Pogba's strike deflected off Ajax defender Davinson Sanchez, leaving keeper Andre Onana with absolutely no chance.
Trying to avoid the pressure that comes with holding a slender one-goal advantage, Mourinho must of gave his men an almighty half-time speech to push on and take the game as United widened the gap shortly after the break through Henrikh Mkhitaryan.
Although the goal doesn't come close in quality compared to some of his strikes this season, it may have been the Armenian's most important. With the ball whipped in from the corner flag, Chris Smalling nodded the ball down inside the six-yard box where Mkhitaryan pounced, hooking his boot through the ball past the hapless Onana.
Ajax weren't completely out of it and they stuck to their manager Peter Bosz's proclamation that they would play their style of football no matter the circumstances.
Unfortunately for the Amsterdam club, the youngest side in the competition was defeated by United's maturity and experience. Their 61% possession didn't translate into opportunities in front of goal, managing only three shots on target for the entire match.
When put into context considering the events that having taken place over the last few days, a mere football match means nothing. The United players knew that, but what gave them great joy was knowing that when the final whistle blew, they would be bringing a trophy back to their broken city.
Result
Manchester United 2 - Pogba (18), Mkhitaryan (48)
Ajax 0
Friends Arena, Stockholm
Attendance: 46 491
Manchester United: Romero, Valencia, Smalling, Blind, Darmian, Fellaini, Herrera, Pogba, Mata (Rooney, 89), Rashford (Martial, 83), Mkhitaryan (Lingard, 74)
Ajax: Onana, Veltman, Riedewald (De Jong, 82), Sanchez, De Ligt, Klaassen, Schone (De Beek, 70), Ziyech, Traore, Younes, Dolberg (Neres, 62)
Champions. #UELfinalpic.twitter.com/Q2ZgNj86SQ
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) May 24, 2017