Amad Diallo scored twice to breathe life into Manchester United’s Europa League campaign with a 2-0 win over Greek champions PAOK Thessaloniki at Old Trafford.
Ruud van Nistelrooy handed Amad his first start in a month in his third game as caretaker boss and the 22-year-old repaid his faith with a blistering performance that ended with two crucial second-half strikes to keep United’s hopes alive. to advance to the knockout stage.
United drew their opening three Europa League matches against Twente, Porto and Fenerbahce and it was vital they got off the mark against PAOK, who had the better chances of the first half. Andre Onana pulled off a great save to deny both Maddy Kamara and Andrija Zivkovic.
Diallo’s opener was his second goal in a major European tournament
By contrast, United only briefly threatened Dominik Kotarski’s goal in the opening 45 minutes, Rasmus Hoylund’s header from Casemiro’s cross was easily saved before a brilliant piece of defending from Baba Rahman denied Amadi at the far post.
More urgency was required from the restart and within five minutes United were in front when Amad rose to meet Bruno Fernandez’s deep cross and headed home and the far post.
United were almost immediately unpicked as Tyson fed the unmarked Tariq Tisudali, but the PAOK striker telegraphed his shot from point blank range. That gave Amadi the opportunity to seal Van Nistelrooy’s win with a decisive run and finish that will hurt his chances of coming under next boss Ruben Amorim (77).
The win lifted United to 15th as the 36-team league stage reached the halfway point, and the next Europa League match against Bodo/Glimt was Amorim’s first game at Old Trafford.
Van Nistelrooy told TNT Sports. “Amad made the difference today with his goals, but he was very sharp. Well done to him, good game. Positionally we were not good in the first half. We were much better at it in the second half.
“He’s been incredible in training, he always trains well and asks more of me.”
How Diallo dazzled during Amorim’s early auditions
Amad curls in the second of his two brilliant goals
United had won just one of their last 11 European games and the Greek champions were no pushover.
The 4,000 away fans, plus a few in the home section, held their breath after Kamara’s shot was blocked by Casemiro, wrong-footing Onana before hitting him.
Zivkovic bent over well after letting himself go as the chorus of PAOK chants continued and United began to ask questions of their own.
Van Nistelrooy’s side began to send balls into the box and Alejandro Garnacho saw a shot blocked shortly after VAR called a possible penalty.
Diallo was brought down after being tackled by ex-Chelsea left-back Rahman, but referee Radu Petrescu’s decision to ignore the appeals saw Daniele Ciff in the box.
Hoylund saw a header collected by Kotarski when he met Diallo’s cross, who saw the ball picked off his toe by Rahman after Garnacho whistled a low ball to him at the far post.
PAOK showed a growing threat as the opening period wore on. Onana blocked Zivkovic’s encouraging attempt and then deflected Kamara’s shot after a superb first touch.
Center Amad Diallo scores the opening goal
Neither side made any changes in the second half which was five minutes from time when Amad broke the deadlock.
Bruno Fernandes sent a diagonal ball towards the far post where the winger stretched to send a header across goal and just inside the post.
PAOK claimed that Hoylund had obstructed Tomasz Kedziora’s attempted clearance, but it was given the green light after a VAR review.
Kotarski denied Diallo a second as United played with intent but without the necessary cut. It has cost United dearly this season and Zivkovic shot just wide before PAOK missed a glorious 64th-minute chance.
A glaring miss from Tissudaly let Van Nistelrooy’s side settle their nerves with a fantastic 77th-minute goal.
Amad curls in the second of his two brilliant goals
Amad won possession as he continued his battle with Rahman, showing strength and then skill as he moved onto his left foot and slotted home a fine effort from the edge of the box.
Mason Mount came on after kicking the winner and the visitors then hit Shola Shoretiri.
The United academy graduate remains the youngest player to feature for the Red Devils in a European game and earned a standing ovation from the home crowd. Marcus Rashford came close to shining in added time.
Van Nistelrooy added: “The first half was pretty bad if I’m good. The second half was better. It was simple. It was important for me to get results. I can only be pleased with the players’ performance. put in
“I’m enjoying it, but Sunday is just another day and I’m so focused on that, so I’m not thinking about what’s next.”
Amad should start against Leicester
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Darren Ambrose has reacted to Amad Diallo’s “brilliant” second goal for Man Utd against PAOK.
Sky Sports’ Ben Grounds.
From the first whistle, Amadi had an edge. Ignoring the end of Erik ten Hag’s reign, here he displayed a display both on and off the ball that those aspiring to play in his position should follow.
He will certainly catch Amorim’s eye on his first start in five weeks, with the lively winger having a penalty denied despite looking like he was caught by Baba Rahman in a forgettable first half.
PAOK’s Baba Rahman, right, and Amad Diallo
He continued to prove a thorn in the side and scored a fantastic header before settling his nerves with a beautifully curled effort from distance after winning the ball.
Against PAOK, he helped himself to his first double for United, making it five of his side’s six goals in all competitions at Old Trafford.
His opener was only his second goal in a major European competition, having also headed in Bruno Fernandes’ goal for United against AC Milan in the Europa League in March 2021.
For Amorim, it’s a combination that could be very productive if Amad uses this performance as a benchmark moving forward.
Amad. I just want to make people happy
Diallo scored his first double for Manchester United
It was just Amadi’s second start in nine matches. He took the applause of the supporters barefoot, as a precaution, until the end. But nothing could erase the smile from his face.
“It’s been a long time since we won in Europe,” he told TNT Sports. “Today we showed why we are one of the best teams. It was important to win today. 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.
“I love celebrating with fans and making people happy.”
Fortress Old Trafford – Opta Stats
Manchester United were frustrated in the first half
- Manchester United have lost just one of their last 26 UEFA Europa League home games (19 draws). Indeed, only Roma (22) have won more such games than the Red Devils in the competition since the start of the season in February 2016.
- PAOK Thessaloniki failed to win their opening four group stage matches (1 L3) for the second time since 2015-16.
- No player in the history of the UEFA Europa League has provided more assists than Manchester United’s Bruno Fernandes (16, tied with Borek Dokkal).
- Since making his European debut for Sporting in September 2017, Bruno Fernandes has provided more assists in major European competitions than any other player (26).
