Man United 2-0 PAOK (November 7, 2024) Match analysis

A brace from Amad Diallo gave Manchester United a 2-0 win over PAOK Saloniki in the Europa League on Thursday. Interim coach Ruud van Nistelrooy achieved what Erik ten Hag couldn’t with the club’s first win of the season.

United had drawn their previous three Europa League games, but five minutes after the break, Amad’s header from Bruno Fernandes’ cross across goal returned to the bottom corner, putting Van Nistelrooy’s side on the right track.

With both teams looking for their first win, the Greek visitors had their chances to get something out of the game at Old Trafford, with United keeper André Onana having to keep out a shot from Mady Camara in the first half.

PAOK had a golden opportunity to equalize in the 64th minute, but the unmarked Taril Tissoudali couldn’t muster enough power from his close-range shot to beat Onana, and Diallo sealed the win with 13 minutes left.

This time he did it all on his own, dispossessing Baba Rahman and fending off the defender’s challenge to get to the edge of the box before firing a curling shot that took a slight deflection on the way into the far corner.

United have six points in the Europa League standings.

“It’s been a long time since we won in Europe. Today we showed why we are one of the best teams. It was important to win today,” Amad told TNT Sports.

“It’s important to score every time. I’ve been unlucky this season, so I’m happy to score two goals today. But the most important thing was to win.”

Van Nistelrooy, the former United striker who will soon make way for new manager Ruben Amorim, replaced Ten Hag ten days ago and is unbeaten in his three games as manager.

“If I’m honest, the first half was pretty bad,” said Van Nistelrooy. “The second half was better. That was clear.”

“[Amad] He made the difference today because of his goals, but he was very sharp. Well done, good game. We weren’t good positionally in the first half. We were able to do that much better in the second half.”