Image source, Getty Images

Legendary Ajax defender Ruud Krol, who won three European Cups alongside Cruyff in the 1970s, was full of praise talking to De Telegraaf last week.

"'I recognize the Ajax style of old in this team," he said. "The pressing, the tenacity, the enthusiasm. These are the characteristics that once made the club great and is what I really enjoy."

Image source, Getty Images

Young.

Over the last decade the Eredivisie's average age has decreased by two years, but instead of seeing that as a disadvantage, Ajax manager Peter Bosz has turned it into a strength. He has shaped the squad comprising largely of early twenty-somethings and teenagers in his image, resulting to an affectionate labelling of the team as 'the Bosz Babes'.

Bosz recently named the youngest team in Eredivisie history, with an average age of 20 years and 139 days. Only one player was older than 21 - and yet the club easily defeated Willem II 3-1.

Would you play Marouane Fellaini this evening? He scored the winner in the semi-final in the end.

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Marouane Fellaini. Good signing. Manchester United.

Words you'd never thought you'd hear together in a sentence. Unless 'not' or 'will never be considered' are also in there.

Until now...

"I think Marouane Fellaini has become one of Jose Mourinho's favourite players," former United defender Phil Neville tells BBC Radio 5 live's Facebook page., external

"David Moyes got hammered for signing him, everyone said he would leave under Louis van Gaal, but Jose keeps picking him.

"I think he has become a good signing."

Simon Stone
BBC Sport at the Friends Arena

The last Manchester United banner that attracted public attention was 'The Chosen One' made in honour of David Moyes' appointment as Sir Alex Ferguson's replacement.

Within 24 hours of Monday night's tragic events, Stretford End Flags had another 'Manchester - A City United. #pray for manchester' packed up and ready to travel to Sweden.

Uefa have given permisson for it to be hung in the stadium. Manchester United have also given their approval.

The hard facts, the bottom line, is that Manchester United will miss out on £50m if they fail to win tonight and miss out on next season's Champions League.

Failure to qualify for Europe's flagship club competition for a second successive season would trigger a £21m penalty clause in their 10-year, £750m sponsorship deal with Adidas.

United also expect to earn up to £30m more by being in the Champions League.

Big money.

Sergio Romero has impressed me pretty much every time I've seen him play this season. Is he being lined up to be number one next season?

We should team news just after 18:30 BST for you all. The Ajax XI is expected to have a very, very low average age...

Start your best goalkeeper in the final? Or drop the one who has played every game to get you there?

It is a tough one. Jose Mourinho has gone with the latter, meaning Sergio Romero - not David de Gea - will line-up between the United sticks.

Former Red Devils youngster Robbie Savage reckons De Gea should start - despite knowing first-hand what it is like to be cruelly dropped for a final...

"It happened to me - in the 1992 Youth Cup final! Ryan Giggs came in," he said on BBC Radio 5 live's Facebook page., external

"I was gutted but I bounced back to have a glittering career...

"I said to the gaffer 'I'd played in every round' but I had to accept Ryan Giggs was a better player...just. And we won - so that's the argument."

Image source, Getty Images

Peter Schmeichel
Former Manchester United goalkeeper

This is going to affect the players of Manchester United massively - this is not something you can compartmentalise and just put to one side and go out and play football.

In many ways, football all of a sudden became very insignificant. I know it bears a lot of importance for next season, but in many ways I can’t get excited about this game.

I think it's very difficult to think about football.

Joe Bamforth: Come on United, do it for Manchester!

RegularJon: Nervous about the game - it's of course insignificant due to what's happened but I hope the local lads can win it for the city.

Simon Stone
BBC Sport at the Friends Arena

Image source, Getty Images

He wasn't at training last night but it is understood Manchester United striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic will be present at the Friends Arena for tonight's Europa League final.

Ibrahimovic played a bit of a joke over the weekend when he released a picture on social media of him doing some work in the swimming pool.

The 35-year-old has been doing well in his rehabilitation - but he did suffer a cruciate knee ligament injury - and the recovery period is eight months.

Another interested observer is likely to be former United and Ajax manager Louis van Gaal.

Van Gaal saw Ajax in their semi-final against Lyon.

Ajax midfielder Lasse Schone could be the only man over the age of 25 to play for Ajax tonight.

He says that the attack in Manchester "takes the sparkle off what should be a wonderful day" and revealed that his own family had been at a similar gig recently.

“It was terrible for us as well to see and read. It is devastating,” he said.

Image source, Reuters

“Ariana Grande perfomed in Amsterdam two weeks ago and my wife and child were there. Our sympathy goes to families.

“We feel it is hard but we must be professional and we must change our mindset and continue.”

Dan Walker is joined by Danny Murphy and Jermaine Jenas as they look ahead to tonight's final between Manchester United and Ajax.

Simon Stone
BBC Sport at the Friends Arena

Image source, PA

I have been talking to a few people in Stockholm today, fans, Manchester police and a former United player, Phil Neville.

All accept, in the wider scheme of things, the outcome of tonight's game is irrelevant compared to the atrocity at the Manchester Arena on Monday night.

Yet all accept that, however fleetingly, United can make the city feel good about itself, although, as Neville acknowledged, for those who have lost loved ones, it will not ease even the slightest bit of pain.

Phil Neville
Former Manchester United defender on Radio 5 live

When I was told I'd be working on this match, it felt like it was Christmas Day, but I don't want to be at this game now, I want to be in Manchester.

Players like Marcus Rashford and Jesse Lingard - they've been brought up in Manchester. Paul Pogba was brought up in the city from the age of 14. They will find if difficult.

From what would be the biggest games of their careers... it doesn't feel important.

There's no getting away from the fact that this is a final being played out to an unusual backdrop.

So there is no particular topic of debate in our build-up tonight.

But whether you are in Stockholm or Salford, watching the game live or at home, a Manchester United fan or a Manchester, united fan - you can get in touch with us as usual.

Tweet us at #bbcfootball

Text us on 81111

We should have team news in just over an hour - but here's who Robbie Savage would play tonight.

Image source, Reuters

Should tonight's game even be played? That was a decision the authorities had to make fast.

"Very quickly a decision was taken the game would go on," Greater Manchester Police's John O'Hare said.

The chief superintendent anticipates a "poignant" occasion in Stockholm.

The UK terror threat level has been raised to its highest level following the bombing.

Asked if postponing the match had been considered, O'Hare told the BBC: "That would have been discussed, but the whole rhetoric that has got to come out is terrorism can't win. We can't stop doing the things we enjoy and nourish our lives."

Twenty-two people were killed in the explosion at Manchester Arena on Monday night, including an eight-year-old girl, and 64 were injured.

The attacker died at the scene.

Get all of the latest from BBC News here.