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.
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.”
PAOK confirmed line-up
PAOK XI: Kotarski, Jonny, Kedziora, Colley, Baba, Ozdoev, Schwab, Zivkovic, Camara, Taidon, Tissoudali.
Manchester United team news
So Ruud van Nistelrooy makes three changes, with De Ligt, Martinez and Rashford dropping to the bench as Lindelof, Evans and Amad start.
There’s good news on the bench for United and incoming manager Ruben Amorim, as Mount, Eriksen and Antony are fit enough to be on the bench following injury.
Manchester United’s confirmed line-up
The team is in!
Manchester United XI: Onana; Mazraoui, Lindelof, Evans, Dalot; Ugarte, Casemiro; Amad, Fernandes, Garnacho; Hojlund.
Subs: Bayindir, Heaton, Amass, De Ligt, Martinez, Eriksen, Fitzgerald, Mount, Antony, Rashford, Wheatley, Zirkzee.
Man Utd will adapt to Amorim’s style, says Onana
Andre Onana is confident Manchester United’s squad boasts the quality and pragmatism to embrace incoming head coach Ruben Amorim’s approach.
The Old Trafford hierarchy acted swiftly by appointing the Sporting Lisbon boss last week, having unanimously decided to sack Erik ten Hag following a poor start to his third season in charge.
Amorim enjoyed the perfect send-off in his final match at the Jose Alvalade Stadium on Tuesday night, masterminding a stunning 4-1 win against United’s rivals Manchester City in the Champions League.
Onana was among those impressed viewers and believes the Portuguese is taking over a club with the ability to adapt to his demands, indicating his favoured high-energy 3-4-3 system could also work.
“I did watch the game yesterday,” the United goalkeeper said. “Great victory for them, by the way.
“Different system, but my players, my team-mates, we are all pragmatic.
“I think everyone here is capable to play in each system, so I don’t think this will be any issue for us. We have big players, so they will step up.”
Predicted line-ups
Man Utd XI: Bayindir; Dalot, de Ligt, Lindelof, Martinez; Ugarte, Casemiro; Rashford, Fernandes, Amad; Zirkzee.
PAOK XI: Kotarski; Castro, Kedziora, Colley, Rahman; Schwab, Camara; Despodov, Murg, Taison; Brandon.
Team news
Ruud van Nistelrooy has stated that United are still thin in midfield, with Christian Eriksen joining a list of absentees that includes Kobbie Mainoo and Toby Collyer, as well as defenders Luke Shaw and Tyrell Malacia. However, Mason Mount has made a full return to training.
Bruno Fernandes will return from his one-match European suspension, and the United manager will likely have similar options to those he had at the weekend against Chelsea.
The Dutchman could look to rotate ahead of welcoming Leicester City at the weekend, with Amad Diallo, Victor Lindelof and Joshua Zirkzee potentially all in line for a start. Younsgters Harry Amass and Jack Fletcher could feature in some capacity too, especially with United short at left-back and in central midfield.
For PAOK, former Liverpool defender Dejan Lovren has not been registered for the competition. Club captain Vieirinha is also ineligible, as is ex-Aston Villa striker Mbwana Samatta, while former Chelsea man Tiemoue Bakayoko is injured.
Ex-United youngster Shola Shoretire came off the bench for the Greek side at the weekend, and could feature at Old Trafford once more.
Is Manchester United vs PAOK on TV tonight? Kick-off time, channel and how to watch Europa League fixture
When is the game?
Manchester United host PAOK at 8pm GMT on Thursday 7 November at Old Trafford, Manchester.
Where can I watch it?
The match will be broadcast on TNT Sports 2. Subscribers can stream via the discovery+ app.
You can purchase a TNT Sports subscription via discovery+ here, for only £30.99 per month.
Man Utd vs PAOK LIVE
Manchester United face Greek champions PAOK at Old Trafford on Thursday in matchday four of the Europa Leagueleague phase.
Interim manager Ruud van Nistelrooy takes charge of his penultimate game at the helm, with United looking for their first three points of the new campaign after three disappointing draws in their opening games.
United currently sit 23rd in the league phase table, just within the play-off places, and will need to pick up points in their next matches in order to avoid another two games during a congested winter period in the new year.
Fans are looking forward to the start of Ruben Amorim’s tenure, which starts on 11 November, but van Nistelrooy can do his successor a favour with three points here after a decent result against Chelsea last week.
Man Utd vs PAOK LIVE
Good evening and welcome to The Independent’s coverage of Manchester United vs PAOK in the Europa League.
Ruud van Nistelrooy’s side are hunting their first win in the competition this season, ahead of the imminent arrival of new manager Ruben Amorim.
Greek champions PAOK sit second in their domestic league, though the home side are the clear favourites as they enter the last stages of van Nistelrooy’s brief tenure.
And we’ll have all the latest news, updates and build-up here.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments