A brace from Amad Diallo earned Manchester United a 2-0 win over PAOK in the Europa League on Thursday, as interim manager Ruud van Nistelrooy achieved what Erik ten Hag had failed to do with the club’s first victory in this season’s competition.
United had drawn their three previous Europa League games, but Diallo’s looping header back across the goal into the bottom corner from a Bruno Fernandes cross five minutes after the break sent Van Nistelrooy’s side on their way.
With both sides searching for their first win the Greek visitors to Old Trafford had their chances to take something from the game and United keeper Andre Onana had to tip over a shot from Mady Camara in the first half.
PAOK had an excellent opportunity to equalise in the 64th minute but the unmarked Taril Tissoudali could not get enough power in his shot from close range to beat Onana, and Diallo made sure of victory 13 minutes from time.
This time he did it all alone, dispossessing Baba Rahman and holding off the defender’s challenge to make his way to the edge of the area before unleashing a curling shot which took a slight deflection on its way into the far corner.
Van Nistelrooy, who will shortly make way for new manager Ruben Amorim, replaced the sacked Ten Hag 10 days ago and is unbeaten in his three games in charge.
United have six points in the Europa League standings.
Follow all the reaction from Man Utd v PAOK below.
Amad Diallo sends Ruben Amorim a message in Man Utd’s Europa League win over PAOK
Ruud van Nistelrooy’s penultimate game as interim manager saw the Red Devils finally taste victory in Europe this season. Read Richard Jolly’s report from Old Trafford:
Lawrence Ostlere7 November 2024 22:14
Full-time: Manchester United 2-0 PAOK
Amorim will inherit this team 15th place in the Europa League table, with four matches played and four more to come. A reminder that the top eight sides go straight through to the round of 16, and all those sides who finish between 9th and 24th will go into play-offs in order to decide who progresses.
Lawrence Ostlere7 November 2024 21:57
Full-time: Manchester United 2-0 PAOK
Finally, Manchester United have a win in this Europa League campaign. Amad Diallo was excellent, their best player by a fair way, and his performance felt like a message to incoming manager Ruben Amorim.
Lawrence Ostlere7 November 2024 21:55
Manchester United 2-0 PAOK
89 min: A big chance for Marcus Rashford entering the box on the left side as United counter, but he slides his effort just wide of the far post.
Lawrence Ostlere7 November 2024 21:51
Manchester United 2-0 PAOK
85 min: It’s Mason Mount’s first appearance since the end of September, after suffering a head injury in the 3-0 defeat by Spurs.
Former United forward Shola Shoretire comes on from PAOK as a substitute, and Old Trafford applauds the academy graduate.
Lawrence Ostlere7 November 2024 21:44
Manchester United 2-0 PAOK
82 min: No sooner had Amad finished celebrating than he went down to the floor grimacing. That will be a worry for the watching Ruben Amorim.
He’s replaced by Mason Mount.
Lawrence Ostlere7 November 2024 21:42
Manchester United 2-0 PAOK
Manchester United have lost a lead in all three of their previous Europa League games. Can they hold on to one this time? Tarik Tissoudali probably should have levelled but now United have the cushion of a second goal. If there was some fortune to the deflection on Amad’s shot, he showed plenty of determination to win the ball and then advance.
Richard Jolly at Old Trafford7 November 2024 21:40
GOAL! Manchester United 2-0 PAOK (Amad, 77 min)
Brilliant goal! Amad Diallo hustles the ball from a PAOK defender and dribbles towards the box. He shifts it on to his left foot before unleashing a curling effort into the far corner, with the benefit of a small deflection. Old Trafford loved that.
Lawrence Ostlere7 November 2024 21:39