Ajax found themselves in a similar position to United going into their final group game of the Champions League, knowing a win would see them through to the second round.

However, neither side secured the win and will now face each other in Europe's second-tier club competition.

De Boer told Goal.com: "It's a big surprise that Manchester United are no longer in the Champions League.

"We also came close to reaching the next round, but then there was Lyon's win 7-1 in Zagreb. It's a good thing for the tournament though, with Manchester City and other big teams in the Europa League as well.

"UEFA wanted to raise the level of the Europa League and that is definitely happening with these teams being involved."

Despite the two clubs' rich pedigree, they have not met competitively since 1976, a fact which surprises De Boer.

"It is quite surprising that Manchester United and Ajax haven't met more often in Europe since they are two big teams," De Boer said.

"We have won four European Cups and I believe United have won three as well. I remember a game in the 1970s, but nothing in the past few decades."

Ajax host United at Amsterdam Arena in the first leg of their round-of-32 tie on Thursday.