Amad Diallo’s second-half double propelled Manchester United to a crucial 2-0 victory over Greek champions PAOK, marking a much-needed win in their Europa League campaign.
The victory also gave incoming head coach Ruben Amorim a vital foundation to build upon as he aims to secure a top-eight finish in the competition.
Diallo was undoubtedly United’s standout performer, with his two goals coming within a 13-minute span after the break.
The Ivorian forward broke the deadlock just five minutes into the second half, rising to meet a deep cross from Bruno Fernandes and looping a header into the far corner, leaving PAOK goalkeeper Dominik Kotarski helpless.
His second goal, which sealed the win, came in the 77th minute, when he muscled past Abdul Rahman Baba to gain possession and then curled a shot into the corner from the edge of the box, with a slight deflection aiding its trajectory.
Despite a largely unimpressive display from the home side, United managed to capitalize on their opportunities, with PAOK’s best chance falling to Tarik Tissoudali.
The Moroccan forward, presented with a golden opportunity from eight yards, failed to beat United goalkeeper Andre Onana, who also pulled off an acrobatic save to deny Mady Camara in the first half.
The victory, United’s second in their last 12 European fixtures, was a significant morale boost after starting their expanded Europa League campaign with three consecutive draws.
With the team now sitting at 15th in the standings, Amorim’s priority is clear: securing a top-eight finish to avoid the February play-offs and progress directly into the last-16, which will allow for a more focused approach to league and cup competitions.
Amorim, who joined from Sporting CP after the club’s impressive 4-1 Champions League win against Manchester City, has a challenging road ahead.
United’s next Europa League fixture sees them face Norwegian side Bodo/Glimt, followed by matches against Viktoria Plzen, FCSB, and Rangers. The key target in these fixtures will be to move up the ranks and ensure a spot in the knockout stages.
For United, the search for consistent goal scorers remains a concern. While Diallo was clinical in his efforts, there were few other standout performances from the forwards.
Rasmus Hojlund, the club’s main striker, once again failed to find the net, missing a header in the first half that should have tested Kotarski.
Amad’s performance, however, highlighted his potential as a key player for United. Though his consistency is still questioned, his bravery to keep trying even after mistakes, coupled with his ability to seize opportunities, makes him a significant threat for the team.
His partnership with Bruno Fernandes was also notable, with Fernandes providing the assist for Amad’s opener and offering positive reinforcement, a contrast to his sharp criticism of other teammates, particularly Alejandro Garnacho.
While Amorim has plenty to work on, including improving United’s overall play, the victory over PAOK provides a solid platform for him to begin building a more competitive side.
With plenty of games ahead, United fans will hope that Diallo’s brace is the first of many as the team looks to progress in Europe.
