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Man Utd v PAOK LIVE: Latest score as Amad Diallo stunner wraps up Europa League victory

Ruud van Nistelrooy’s penultimate match as United interim head coach secured a first win of the European campaign

Lawrence Ostlere
Thursday 07 November 2024 17:02 EST
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Amad Diallo celebrates after scoring a header
Amad Diallo celebrates after scoring a header (Getty Images)

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.

Manchester United 0-0 PAOK

42 min: Good from PAOK, who come fowards in a couple of waves of attack. Baba Rahman skips away from Mazraoui on the left side of the box and zips a dangerous low cross into the centre, but fortunately for United it misses his teammates and Garnacho is there at the far post to clear.

Lawrence Ostlere7 November 2024 20:47

Manchester United 0-0 PAOK

39 min: We are ticking closer to half-time, and this has all been a little bit underwhelming from the home side. Some bright moments, but the spark lacking throughout most of Ten Hag’s tenure still seems to be missing.

Lawrence Ostlere7 November 2024 20:42

Wingers liven up slow start to Europa League clash

The PAOK right winger Andrija Zivkovic has been lively – indeed, the two liveliest players on the pitch have been the right wingers, with Amad Diallo United’s brightest individual so far.

The most watchable, in his inimitable way, may be Casemiro, a strangely entertaining player. Though so far, this is not a particularly entertaining game.

Richard Jolly at Old Trafford7 November 2024 20:38

Manchester United 0-0 PAOK

32 min: United surge down the right with Amad and Bruno Fernandes connecting, but they run into a dead end near the box as Baba Rahman – formerly of Chelsea – races back to shut down the winger.

Lawrence Ostlere7 November 2024 20:37

Manchester United 0-0 PAOK

28 min: A shot by the visitors, and it comes from their main threat so far, Zivkovic, cutting in from the right side on to his left foot before letting fly, but it sails straight into the chest of Onana.

Lawrence Ostlere7 November 2024 20:31

Manchester United 0-0 PAOK

26 min: Excellent defending by PAOK’s Jonny Otto, as Bruno Fernandes slips Casemiro into the box and the Brazilian looks to line up a shot, only to be dispossessed at the last possible moment.

Lawrence Ostlere7 November 2024 20:30

Manchester United 0-0 PAOK

24 min: The game has settled into a rhythm, with United keeping most of the ball and PAOK having to stay compact and defend inside their own half, but it’s still goalless.

Lawrence Ostlere7 November 2024 20:28

Manchester United 0-0 PAOK

19 min: More pressure from United. First Amad dribbles into the box and is bundled off the ball, with a legitimate shout for a penalty which is waved away by the Romanian referee. Then Garnacho dribbles inside and fires a shot but it’s headed off target by a PAOK defender. And a moment later, a curling cross is headed straight at the goalkeeper by Rasmus Hojlund.

Lawrence Ostlere7 November 2024 20:22

PAOK fans making a racket at Old Trafford

The overriding impression from the start is just how loud the PAOK fans are. If they could turn the volume down for a bit, that might be appreciated. In other news, Erik ten Hag’s plan of using Noussair Mazraoui as a No 10 in Europe seems to have been abandoned by Ruud van Nistelrooy. A shame.

Richard Jolly at Old Trafford7 November 2024 20:19

Manchester United 0-0 PAOK

13 min: United earn themselves a string of corners as they crank up the pressure on the black and white stripes of PAOK, but the Greek side dig in and clear their lines.

Lawrence Ostlere7 November 2024 20:17

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