Amad Diallo emerged as the hero for Manchester United, scoring twice to deliver a crucial 2-0 victory over Greek champions PAOK Salonika in the Europa League at Old Trafford. The win was a much-needed boost for the Red Devils, who had drawn their first three group matches and desperately needed a victory to reignite their hopes of advancing to the knockout stages.
Interim manager Ruud van Nistelrooy, in his third game at the helm, entrusted Amad with a starting role for the first time in over a month. The 22-year-old winger repaid that faith in resounding fashion, putting in a vibrant performance that was capped by two decisive second-half strikes.
The first half was a tense affair, with both sides struggling to find their rhythm. PAOK had the better of the chances, with Andre Onana producing a couple of fine saves to deny Mady Camara and Andrija Zivkovic. Manchester United, on the other hand, struggled to create clear-cut opportunities, with Rasmus Hojlund’s tame header the only notable effort in the opening 45 minutes.
However, the Red Devils came out with renewed purpose in the second half. Within five minutes of the restart, Amad broke the deadlock, rising to meet Bruno Fernandes’ deep cross to loop a header back across goal and into the net. The goal was a testament to Amad’s aerial prowess and sparked a period of sustained pressure from Manchester United.
Amad then put the seal on the victory with a stunning individual goal in the 77th minute. After winning possession in a tussle with Baba Rahman, he showed impressive strength and skill, moving onto his left foot and curling a beautiful shot from the edge of the box into the back of the net.
This win not only boosted Manchester United’s European ambitions but also extended van Nistelrooy’s unbeaten run as interim manager to three games. It was a performance that will certainly have caught the eye of incoming head coach Ruben Amorim, who will be taking charge at Old Trafford on Monday.
As for Amad, his performance was a timely reminder of his talent and potential. He has struggled for consistency this season, but this display, which saw him score his first brace for Manchester United, suggests he could be a key player for the club under the new manager. The future for Amad, with his confidence boosted and a statement made, looks promising.
The victory also saw Manchester United climb to 15th in the Premier League table, putting them within the play-off spots. While the Europa League remains a priority, the Red Devils will be hoping to carry this momentum into their domestic campaign.
