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, 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.
Diallo made sure of victory 13 minutes from time, 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.
Ruud van Nistelrooy impressed by Amad Diallo after Manchester United end European drought
Interim manager Ruud van Nistelrooy praised match-winner Amad Diallo’s attitude and aptitude after Manchester United ended their 380-day wait for a European victory against PAOK.
Erik ten Hag’s successor Ruben Amorim watched from afar as the Red Devils kicked on from draws in their first three Europa League matches and secured a first continental victory since last October.
United’s new head coach could not have failed to be impressed by winger Diallo, who shone on his first start in five weeks and scored both goals in a 2-0 victory against the Greek champions.
“I think the second goal had everything in it that for me is Amad Diallo,” Van Nistelrooy said after his penultimate match in charge.
“He fought to take the ball off the PAOK defender and then he pushed through to get the shot, and in the end he had the quality to bend it around the goalkeeper. That sums him up.”
Ruud van Nistelrooy impressed by Amad Diallo after Man Utd end European drought
Amad Diallo vows to ‘make Manchester United history’ under Ruben Amorim
Amad Diallo is looking forward to working with new head coach Ruben Amorim and wants to extend his contract with Manchester United as he seeks to “make history”.
The 22-year-old has had his ups and downs since joining the Red Devils from Atalanta in January 2021, including loans of differing success with Rangers and Sunderland.
Diallo wrote his name into United folklore by scoring last season’s extra-time winner against Liverpool in the FA Cup and on Thursday marked his first start in five weeks with a decisive display.
The winger impressively guided home a header against PAOK, before winning possession and brilliantly curling home as he sealed a 2-0 victory in the new-look Europa League group phase.
Amad Diallo vows to ‘make Manchester United history’ under Ruben Amorim
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:
Amad Diallo sends Ruben Amorim a message in Man Utd’s Europa League win over PAOK
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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