Amad Diallo boosted Manchester United’s Europa League campaign with two goals in a 2-0 win over Greek champions PAOK Salonika at Old Trafford.
Ruud van Nistelrooy gave Amad his first start in over a month in his third game as interim manager, and the 22-year-old repaid his faith by scoring two crucial second-half strikes to stoke United’s hopes. I did it. It progresses to the knockout stage.
United drew their opening three Europa League games against Twente, Porto and Fenerbahce, and it was important to get a win against a PAOK side who had the better chances in the first half. Andre Onana made excellent saves to deny both Mady Camara and Andrija Zivkovic.
In contrast, United barely threatened Dominique Kotarski’s goal in the 45th minute when Rasmus Hoslund headed in a cross from Casemiro, but Baba Rahman made a last-minute save to block Ahmad’s far post.
The restart required greater urgency and United took the lead after five minutes when Amad took a deep cross from Bruno Fernandes and headed his shot across goal and into the far post.
United were almost pulled out immediately when Tyson lobbed the ball to the unmarked Tarik Tissaudali, but the PAOK striker telegraphed his shot from point-blank range. This allowed Amad to secure the win for Van Nistelrooy with a decisive run and finish, which will do his chances of playing under his new manager no harm (77).
The result lifted United to 15th in the league table, within the play-off places, and extended Van Nistelrooy’s unbeaten interim spell to a third game, with new manager Ruben Amorim watching remotely from Portugal ahead of taking charge at Old Trafford. . On Monday.
How Diallo dazzled at his initial Amorim audition
Ahmad scored the second of two goals.
United have won just one of their last 11 European matches and the Greek champions have been formidable.
The 4,000 fans in the away side and another 4,000 in the home section held their breath early in the game after Camara’s shot was blocked by Casemiro and wrong-footed by Onana.
As the PAOK chants continued and United began to question themselves, Zivkovic made space and then bowed heavily.
Van Nistelrooy’s side began sending the ball into the box and Alejandro Garnacho saw his shot blocked shortly after VAR confirmed a possible penalty.
Diallo was tripped by former Chelsea left-back Raman, but referee Radu Petrescu’s decision to ignore his appeal was approved by Daniel Tzipi in the booth.
Hojlund saw Kotarski’s header bundled in after meeting Diallo’s cross and Rahman took the ball off his toes after Garnacho buzzed a low ball to him at the far post.
PAOK has seen an increase in threats as the opening period decreases. Onana blocked Zivkovic’s hopeful attempt, handing over Camara’s snapshot after his first touch.
Ahmad Diallo (center) scores the first goal.
Neither side made any changes in the second half when Amad broke the deadlock.
Bruno Fernandes sent a diagonal ball towards the far post, and the winger stretched and looped a header across goal and just inside the post.
PAOK claimed Hojlund interfered with Tomasz Kedziora’s attempt to clear, but the goal was cleared after a VAR check.
Diallo was denied for a second by Kotarski as United played deliberately but without the necessary cut-off. It has cost United dearly this season, with Zivkovic lasering just wide before PAOK squandered a glorious chance in the 64th minute.
Tisodali’s notable miss was disappointing for Van Nistelrooy’s side, who eased the tension with a superb goal in the 77th minute.
Ahmad scored the second of two goals.
Amad won possession as he continued his battle with Rahman, moving on his left foot and displaying his strength and skill with a fine effort from the edge of the box.
Mason Mount looked to have knocked in the winner and the visitors brought on Shola Shoretire.
The United academy graduate remains the youngest player to feature for the Red Devils in a European game and was applauded on the pitch by the home supporters. Marcus Rashford almost added some sparkle in extra time.
Ahmad should start against Leicester
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Darren Ambrose reacts to Amad Diallo’s ‘brilliant’ second goal for Manchester United against PAOK.
Ben Grounds on Sky Sports:
From the first whistle, Amad had the advantage. Overlooked towards the end of Erik ten Hag’s reign, he showed application that should be seen as an example to follow by those who want to play in his position, with or without the ball.
He certainly caught the eye on his first start in five weeks, with the lively winger denying a penalty despite appearing to be caught out by Baba Rahman in a forgettable first half.
He continued to prove a thorn in the side’s side, winning the ball with a fantastic header before breaking the tension with a beautiful curling effort from distance.
Against PAOK, he became the first for United, scoring five of his team’s six goals in all competitions at Old Trafford.
His opening goal was his second in a major European competition, with a header assisted by Bruno Fernandes for United against Milan in the Europa League in March 2021.
For Amorim, this is a very beneficial combination if Amad uses this performance as a benchmark going forward.
