The lowdown on Manchester United’s Europa League opponents AZ Alkmaar
The Dutch side are currently third in the Eredivisie.
Manchester United will bid for back-to-back Europa League wins on Thursday in Holland against AZ Alkmaar.
Here, the PA news agency takes a look at United’s opponents before their second Group L fixture.
Manager
Arne Slot took on his first senior management role in July when promoted from assistant at AZ following John van den Brom’s departure to Utrecht. The former midfielder’s 18-year playing career included spells at PEC Zwolle, NAC Breda and Sparta Rotterdam and he began coaching in the youth-team set-up at Zwolle before becoming assistant boss at SC Cambur. The 41-year-old joined AZ in 2017 and in his current role has steered them through three qualifying rounds and into the Europa League group stage.
Current form
AZ have picked up where they left off last season after finishing fourth in the Eredivisie under Van den Brom. They are currently third in the table, one point behind leaders Ajax after winning six and losing one of their first eight league games. Slot’s side head into their clash with United on the back of three straight league wins and drew their opening Group L fixture 2-2 against Partizan in Belgrade despite the first-half dismissal of Norway defender Jonas Svensson.
Familiar faces
European pedigree
