Manchester United gave its grieving home city a moment to cheer by winning the Europa League on Wednesday, beating Ajax 2-0 in the final, immediately dedicating their victory to victims of the terror attack.

The final came two days after 22 people were killed and more than 60 injured in a bomb attack at an Ariana Grande concert in Manchester, and 12 days after the death of Pogba’s father, Fassou Antoine.

United flew to Sweden in a sombre mood with heavy hearts following the tragedy and were determined to produce a display that served as a tribute to the victims and their families.

The planned pre-match one minute’s silence in honour of the victims rapidly turned into 60 seconds of applause, during which United’s fans chanted “Manchester, Manchester.”

Both teams wore black armbands for the match in another mark of respect and both sets of fans came together, mingling happily outside the stadium and in the city centre before the match.

Pogba pointed to the sky as he was mobbed by teammates after his 18th-minute opening goal.

Henrikh Mkhitaryan scored the second goal in the 48th minute, hooking the ball in from close range from a corner – the win earning United the bonus prize of a place in next season’s Champions League.

It also meant coach Jose Mourinho finished his first season at England’s biggest club with two trophies after United also won the English League Cup in February.

The game was billed as a clash between the pragmatism of Mourinho’s United against the swagger and youthful exuberance of an Ajax side featuring six players aged 21 or under and in the club’s first European final in 21 years.

Pogba’s crucial first goal, however, had a huge element of fortune to it.

Marouane Fellaini — a regular outlet because of his height and physical presence — laid the ball off to Pogba at the edge of the area, and the France star allowed it to run across him before sending in a low left-footed shot that wouldn’t have troubled goalkeeper Andre Onana.

The ball struck Davinson Sanchez’s outstretched leg and looped up, spinning into the net past the wrong-footed Onana.

Mkhitaryan’s goal was much more aesthetic, although it came from a direct route. A right-wing corner was headed down by Chris Smalling, and Mkhitaryan reacted quickest by hooking the ball high into the net from close range.

United had little trouble keeping Ajax at bay in the closing stages, as the English team won their sixth European trophy and the only major piece of silverware missing from their collection.

Speaking to BT Sport, Pogba said: “We know that things like this are very sad, all over the world: in Manchester, in London and in Paris, too.

“We had to focus because it was a very important game and we won for them and for the country.

“We played for England, we played for Manchester, and we played for the people who died.”

Midfielder Juan Mata added: “It was a very difficult week for a lot of us and for the city of Manchester and we tried to win for all the people who have suffered. This trophy is for them.”

– With AAP