Amad Double Secures Manchester United’s First Europa League Win of the Season in 2-0 Victory Over PAOK

Amad Diallo was the hero for Manchester United as he scored a second-half brace to secure a vital 2-0 victory over Greek champions PAOK Salonika at Old Trafford on Thursday night. The win was United’s first in this season’s Europa League group stage, and it came at a crucial time following three successive draws in their opening matches.

Interim manager Ruud van Nistelrooy, in his third match in charge, handed Amad his first start in over a month, and the 22-year-old forward delivered an inspired performance to help the Reds break their European duck.

United had struggled to break down their opponents in the first half, with PAOK creating the better chances. However, Andre Onana was in fine form, making key saves to deny Mady Camara and Andrija Zivkovic. In contrast, United had only fleeting moments of threat in the opening 45 minutes, with Rasmus Hojlund’s header from Casemiro’s cross easily saved by PAOK goalkeeper Dominik Kotarski, and Baba Rahman’s vital block preventing Amad from scoring at the far post.

The second half saw United come out with more urgency, and within five minutes, they took the lead. Bruno Fernandes curled in a perfect cross, and Amad rose to meet it at the back post, directing a looping header across goal and into the far corner off the post to give United a 1-0 advantage.

PAOK nearly responded immediately through Tarik Tissoudali, but his shot from close range was easily saved by Onana, who continued to shine in goal. With PAOK searching for an equalizer, Amad sealed the win for United in the 77th minute. Winning the ball high up the pitch after pressing Baba Rahman, Amad charged towards the box and fired a curling shot from the edge of the area that took a slight deflection before nestling into the bottom corner.

Amad’s brace ensured a deserved victory for United and kept them alive in Group E, which had been looking precarious after their three draws in the opening matches. The win lifted United to six points from four matches, bringing them into a more promising position as they continue their quest for qualification to the knockout stages.

Van Nistelrooy, speaking after the match, praised Amad for his “incredible” performance, noting that his sharpness in training had been evident throughout the week. “Amad made a difference today, because of his goals but also his overall sharpness. He’s been incredible in training, and today he showed why he deserves to start,” the interim manager said.

The game also marked the return of several key players to the squad, including Christian Eriksen, Mason Mount, and Antony, who had been sidelined with injuries. Van Nistelrooy made three changes to the side that drew 1-1 with Chelsea last weekend, with Victor Lindelof and Jonny Evans coming into central defense, and Amad replacing Marcus Rashford in the starting lineup.

With the win, Manchester United now sit on six points from four games and will be hoping to build on this momentum as they approach the second half of the Europa League group stage. Van Nistelrooy’s unbeaten run in charge continues, and the interim manager will now focus on preparing the team for their next challenge—Sunday’s Premier League match against Leicester City.