AZ v United: Essential pre-match stats
Manchester United travel to the Netherlands to take on AZ Alkmaar in Thursday’s Europa League Group L game.
They are one of four Dutch clubs we’ve faced in the past and you can discover what our record is like against Eredivisie sides, which Red previously played for AZ and how they have began the 2019/20 season by scrolling down…
United have played Dutch opponents on 17 previous occasions and we have won nine, drawn three and lost five of those encounters.
Thursday’s game will be the first time we have ever played a match in the Dutch city of The Hague.
United goalkeeper Sergio Romero previously played for Alkmaar, while former Reds boss Louis van Gaal also managed the Eredivisie club.
AZ are currently third in the Eredivisie table having won six, drawn one and lost one of their first eight league games. They have also conceded just three goals in those matches.
As our midweek opponents had to qualify for the Europa League, they have already played seven games in Europe this season. They’ve won three and drawn four of those matches.
Alkmaar defender Ron Vlaar lost three of his four meetings with United while playing in the Premier League with Aston Villa.
This is AZ’s 17th season of European football and their 13th year competing in the UEFA Cup/Europa League. They've been involved in the group stage of this tournament in six of the past nine campaigns.
Alkmaar’s best campaign in the UEFA Cup/Europa League came in 1980/81, when they made it to the final of the competition and lost 5-4 on aggregate to Ipswich Town over two legs.
AZ have played six English teams in their history: Ipswich Town, Liverpool, Middlesbrough, Newcastle United, Everton and Arsenal. They have lost six of those 12 matches, winning two and drawing four.