Giggs: Will have to wait for milestone

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Ajax v Manchester United

Manchester United have left three senior campaigners at home for their Europa League tie against Ajax at the Amsterdam Arena on Thursday night.

Midfielder Ryan Giggs, striker Dimitar Berbatov and full-back Patrice Evra were all absent as the Red Devils prepared to make their way to Holland.

Giggs, on the brink of his 900th appearance for United, has put in significant work in the Premier League of late and was expected to be rested for the round-of-32 first-leg clash.

The absence of Berbatov and Evra, though, has not been disclosed with both players not injury-listed. Rio Ferdinand is likely to wear the captain’s armband in place of Evra.

Good news on the injury front is the availability of winger Nani and defender Phil Jones, while attacking midfielders Ashley Young and Tom Cleverley were named in United’s 20-man squad.

Meanwhile, the Amsterdammers have several injury concerns ahead of the midweek encounter with defenders Andre Ooijer (calf) and Gregory Van der Weil (groin) ruled out.

Midfielders Eyong Enoh (hamstring) and Derk Boerrigter (back) are also all doubtful, along with striker Kolbeinn Sigthorsson (back).

Theo Janssen, however, is likely to make his return in midfield for Frank De Boer’s team having overcome a groin problem.

Both teams will be targeting progression after their UEFA Champions League disappointments, the Lancers and the Red Devils having qualified for Europa by virtue of their third-placed group finishes.

The match will also be Sir Alex Ferguson’s side’s first non-Champions League European match since 1995.