• Europa League round-up

Man Utd scrape through; Stoke sent packing

Manchester United managed to sneak into the last-16 of the Europa League despite a 2-1 loss to Ajax at Old Trafford on Thursday.

Javier Hernandez gave United a 3-0 aggregate lead when he netted early in the first half, but Ajax came storming back to become the first Dutch team to win at Old Trafford.

Aras Ozbiliz levelled the scores, before Toby Alderweireld ensured a nervy finish by netting with three minutes remaining - but United held on.

Almost seven months after it began, Stoke's Europa League adventure came to an end in Valencia as Jonas' first-half goal earned the hosts victory at the Mestalla and a 2-0 win on aggregate.

The Potters launched their first European campaign since the 1970s with an away win over Hajduk Split back on August 4 and came through a group containing Besiktas and Dynamo Kiev, winning seven of their 12 games. It was always an uphill struggle after they lost the home leg last week and, although Kenwyne Jones will look back on two glorious first-half chances, it is Valencia who deservedly go on to a last-16 meeting with PSV Eindhoven, who beat Trabzonspor 6-2 on aggregate.

After a 0-0 draw in the first leg, Udinese triumphed 3-0 away at PAOK, while Athletic Bilbao snuck through on away goals against Lokomotiv Moscow and will now play Manchester United.

Atletico Madrid completed the job against Lazio, winning 1-0 in Spain, and Sporting Lisbon overcame Legia Warsaw by the same score.

Hannover 96, Standard Liege, Schalke, AZ Alkmaar, Braga, Metalist Kharkiv, Olympiakos and FC Twente all progressed through to the last-16.

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.