De Boer - Win was turning point

Saturday's 2-0 away victory against NAC Breda ended a run of four games without a win, including a 4-2 defeat at arch-rivals Feyenoord and a 3-2 home loss in the KNVB Cup to AZ Alkmaar.

That run has seen them drop to sixth in the league, eight points behind leaders PSV Eindhoven.

Ajax cannot afford any further slip-ups as they host Manchester United in the Europa League on Thursday night before welcoming NEC Nijmegen to the Amsterdam ArenA in the league on Sunday.

Their on-field problems have been overshadowed by boardroom strife which has not helped De Boer, but he was boosted by the win over NAC.

Satisfied

The manager told Ajax's official website: "I'm satisfied with the display and of course with the win. We really needed this.

"Let's hope that we've found our way back to the top."

Morocco international Ismail Aissati impressed as a replacement for the injured Eyong Enoh, and De Boer added: "He left a good impression in Breda.

"Aissati is a different type of player than Enoh, with Aissati you get a lot more football in midfield."