Manchester United's march toward the latter stages of the Europa League looks ready to continue today when they line up against Ajax at Old Trafford leading 2-0 from the first leg in the round of 32.

United's exit from the Champions League following a 2-1 defeat at Basel in December was a huge shock to the fans.

To their credit, Sir Alex Ferguson's side have put their full weight behind the Champions League's poorer relation and must be considered the favorites to reach the May 9 final.

United have yet to be beaten at home by a Dutch side and defender Chris Smalling says the players are committed to winning the competition.

"Obviously we'd still like to be in the Champions League but we're looking at the Europa League as a second chance," Smalling told www.manutd.com.

"We're going to go out there and show Europe we can still perform and we can still win trophies.

United, however, could find the going tougher in the latter stages of the competition.

Atletico Madrid, who beat Fulham to the trophy in 2010, have been one of the tournament's form sides and seem to have found fresh impetus since former Argentina international Diego Simeone took over as coach.

But despite notching a 3-1 first-leg win in Rome last week, they are taking nothing for granted against Lazio.

"Lazio are highly dangerous and we cannot go out there thinking we are safely through," said Falcao, the Columbian who scored a record 17 goals on the way to victory with Porto last season.