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Manchester United picked up their first win of this season’s Europa League on Thursday as they saw off the challenge of PAOK 2-0 at Old Trafford.
A second-half brace from Amad Diallo proved to be the difference in the end with interim manager Ruud van Nistelrooy picking up his second win in his short-term tenure.
The victory meant the Red Devils climbed up to 15th in the standings with the top eight directly qualifying for the knockout stages.
The Ivorian was tipped to breakthrough this season by former manager Erik ten Hag and after a few initial chances earlier this season, the Dutchman reduced the Ivorian’s minutes without reason.
Amad grabs a brace
The 21-year-old was visibly displeased when Antony was brought on ahead of him against Fenerbahce in the previous game, having to be calmed down by then-assistant manager Van Nistelrooy.
And under him, the youngster seems to have found a new lease of life. Under the lights, the former Atalanta starlet was one of the few shining lights up front as Rasmus Hojlund and Alejandro Garnacho struggled to create an impact in the first half.
His opening goal saw him leap high at the back post, while his second was a thing of beauty as he cut in from the right wing before unleashing an unstoppable curling effort into the goal.
Surely he will start for Van Nistelrooy’s final game against Leicester City at the weekend and incoming manager Ruben Amorim is about to inherit a hungry and in-form Amad.
Flat performance on the whole
As for the rest of the team’s performance, it was flat and lacked any real urgency as the players seemed too casual at times and kept giving away the ball cheaply.
Playing in an European game under the lights having failed to win their previous three, the players should have been way more hungry to rectify the situation.
They lacked ideas once they entered the final third of the pitch and that is something Amorim must fix with the team low on confidence even with the win.
The Portuguese tactician must drive up performance levels and ensure the players are bang on the money from the first minute for every game. Plenty of manager have tried but failed. Fingers crossed, Amorim can be the one to change things.
Feature image Naomi Baker via Getty Images