@ManUtd-Gerrard

2 months ago

In 2018/19 season, Ajax delivered a footballing masterclass that took the world by storm. It was a season where youth met experience, where audacity met execution, and where a team from outside the traditional powerhouses reminded us of the pure joy this sport can bring. Ajax claimed the domestic double, winning the Eredivisie and the KNVB Cup, but it was their UCL run that truly captured fans' hearts. Against all odds, they defeated giants and nearly reached the final. They played with an attacking style that was, frankly, like fluid perfection. And behind it all, the brilliant ETH, orchestrating everything from the touchline. ETH, of course, would eventually land the top job at Man Utd, but this was where his genius really shone through. Onana, the young goalkeeper, was a wall between the posts, with 26 clean sheets in 55 games. He moved to Inter Milan in 2022 & now reunited with ETh at Man Utd. Then there was Matthijs de Ligt, just 19 years old, leading the defense with such maturity that you’d forget his age. He went on to join Juventus right after that season & then Bayern and now plies his trade at Man Utd. Next to him was Daley Blind, the wise head in the backline, providing balance, both defensively and going forward. The midfield, though, that’s where the magic really happened. FDJ how silky was he? His composure on the ball, his ability to dictate the pace of the game, it was something special. Barcelona snapped him up in 2019. Alongside him, Lasse Schöne’s experience and DVB’s knack for scoring goals created the perfect balance. Van de Beek, of course, moved to Man utd, though injuries have held him back & now finds himself at Girona. Hakim Ziyech and David Neres on the wings.. pace, flair, creativity. Ziyech’s performances earned him a move to Chelsea, though he hasn’t quite hit the same heights there. As of 2024, he moved to Galatasaray, where he is rediscovering his form in Turkey. And then there was Dusan Tadić, the heartbeat of that Ajax attack. With 38 goals and 23 assists, those are staggering numbers. He stayed loyal to Ajax until 2023 before heading to Fenerbahçe. What about the staff? Erik ten Hag’s tactical brilliance earned him the Man Utd job. His assistant, Alfred Schreuder, returned to Ajax for a brief stint before moving on. Edwin van der Sar, the legendary CEO, had to step down in 2023 after years of steering the club with grace. Marc Overmars, the director of football, left under unfortunate circumstances in 2022. You see, this Ajax team was something special. They didn’t have the biggest names, the deepest pockets, or the global stardom of their rivals. But what they had was belief, courage, and a brand of football that was a joy to watch. Every player from that side has since moved on, but the legacy of the 2018/19 season remains. It was a reminder of what can be achieved when a club stays true to its principles, trusts its youth, and dares to dream big.

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