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
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
9 min: Nothing yet resembling a shot on target by either side. Amad tries to jink into the box from the right side but his little cutback is intercepted.
Manchester United 0-0 PAOK
6 min: PAOK have settled after a slightly frantic opening, and they are enjoying a brief spelling of possession in their own half.
Manchester United 0-0 PAOK
4 min: Van Nistelrooy’s approach of having his full-backs come inside to leave space for the wingers on either touchline is clearly visible in these early moments. Dalot and Mazraoui are constantly filling the centre of the pitch and its Garnacho and Amad offering width.
Manchester United 0-0 PAOK
2 min: United start brightly, but Garnacho makes a poor error as they reach the box, overhitting his pass to Bruno Fernandes. It runs out for a goal-kick.
Kick-off! Manchester United 0-0 PAOK
We’re underway, and Amad is immediately clattered, winning a foul. There’s a great noise in the stadium from both sets of supporters.
Manchester United v PAOK – Europa League
The players are out on the pitch, shaking hands. A reminder of the line-ups:
Man Utd XI: Onana, Mazraoui, Lindelof, Evans, Dalot, Ugarte, Casemiro, Amad, Fernandes, Garnacho, Hojlund.
PAOK XI: Kotarski, Jonny, Kedziora, Colley, Baba, Ozdoev, Schwab, Zivkovic, Camara, Taidon, Tissoudali.
Manchester United v PAOK – Europa League
A few pictures as the teams warm up before kick-off, with 10 minutes to go at Old Trafford...
Van Nistelrooy in the dark of his Old Trafford future
Interim boss Ruud van Nistelrooy is hoping to hand over the side to Amorim after overseeing back-to-back wins, with PAOK tonight and Leicester to come on the weekend, but the fan favourite’s future beyond that remains unclear.
The former striker returned to Old Trafford in the summer as one of Ten Hag’s assistants and had expressed his desire to stay at the club once Amorim arrives.
“I didn’t have contact so far,” Van Nistelrooy said. “There’s no changes in that. I don’t know when (there will be) yet either.”
Asked what the ideal scenario would be for him, he added: “I don’t know. It’s difficult to comment on that now. I’m waiting for conversations to take place. In the meantime, obviously the most important for this club is getting the work done on a daily basis and in the game coming up [tonight].
“It’s a European night at Old Trafford against the Greek champions, second in the league currently. Honestly, I have to say that I feel the responsibility to do well over the next week and that’s my job. I’m focused on that. As I said, I welcome Ruben, happy (to be) here to help and help him and that’s the situation for the moment.”
Andre Onana: I feel bad for Ten Hag
Manchester United goalkeeper Andre Onana spoke up this week about the sacking of manager Erik ten Hag, who brought him to Old Trafford two summers ago.
“When I heard he was leaving, obviously I feel bad,” the goalkeeper said. “It’s not always easy for players to understand when a manager is leaving. But at the end of the day the club have to make a decision and we have to follow.
“Yes, I worked with him, he’s a good manager, I have a very good relationship with him.
“Why things didn’t work here? We didn’t win enough games, so it’s simple. In high level it’s not easy. Sometimes you have to pay the price. Unfortunately it was him. We did everything, the players gave everything, we worked hard, we tried out best, but it just didn’t work.”
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