De Boer hopes to emulate Basel

De Boer is thinking positively ahead of Thursday evening's (Friday morning AEDT) UEFA Europa League last-32 second leg at Old Trafford.

United is a heavy favourite to book a place in the next round after triumphing 2-0 in the first leg in Amsterdam last week.

In terms of shocks at home in Europe this season, though, Sir Alex Ferguson's men have already suffered one, with Basel managing to come back from 2-0 down at half-time to take a 3-2 lead in Manchester.

Only a goal at the death from Ashley Young salvaged a 3-3 draw for United from the UEFA Champions League group game and it eventually crashed out of the competition after a 2-1 loss to the same opposition in Switzerland.

De Boer knows his side will have a major task to turn the tie around, but said: "Basel managed to draw with United and we are trying to do something similar here as them - get a result.

"We are not here just to see the scenery and we will see after the game what the result is.

"It was a difficult first game when we lost at home. We will try to make life difficult for United tomorrow - overall, it is a great opportunity for our players to play this game.

"There were some positives from the match in Holland and we want to repeat those things here.

"It will be a great advantage if we can take the lead tomorrow.

"We are trying to go for that surprise element, but we will not be naïve. We have to be optimistic."

The news that United striker Wayne Rooney will not take part due to a throat infection would appear to boost Ajax's chances, although defender Jan Vertonghen does not feel the England international's absence is likely to make the Dutch side's job any easier.

Vertonghen said: "It doesn't matter whether Rooney plays or not - whoever plays up front for United will be a top-class player."

De Boer has indicated his team will be the same as that which started last weekend's 4-1 Eredivisie victory over NEC Nijmegen, apart from in attack, where Dmitri Bulykin - who scored twice in that game but has a calf problem - is set be replaced by Nicolas Lodeiro.