Ryan Giggs, Dimitar Berbatov and Patrice Evra were all absent as Manchester United headed to Amsterdam on their first Europa League trip on Wednesday morning.
Giggs' next United appearance will be his 900th, but it was always likely that after playing such an impressive part in his club's Premier League title charge, he would be excused a last-32 first-leg meeting with Ajax.
It was anticipated Berbatov and Evra would be involved, although with no official injury update, the reason for their absences is not likely to become known until this evening's pre-match press conference.
There was good news on the injury front though as Nani and Phil Jones both returned after recent absences.
In addition, Ashley Young and Tom Cleverley were named in a
20-man squad, along with youngsters Paul Pogba and Zeki Fryers.
