Interim manager Ruud van Nistelrooy praised match-winner Amad Diallo’s attitude and aptitude after Manchester United ended their 380-day wait for a European victory against PAOK.
Erik ten Hag’s successor Ruben Amorim watched from afar as the Red Devils kicked on from draws in their first three Europa League matches and secured a first continental victory since last October.
United’s new head coach could not have failed to be impressed by winger Diallo, who shone on his first start in five weeks and scored both goals in a 2-0 victory against the Greek champions.
The 22-year-old brilliantly steered home a header early in the second half against PAOK, then settled nerves at Old Trafford by winning possession and continuing to curl home in fantastic fashion.
“I think the second goal had everything in it that for me is Amad Diallo,” Van Nistelrooy said after his penultimate match in charge.
“He fought to take the ball off the PAOK defender and then he pushed through to get the shot, and in the end he had the quality to bend it around the goalkeeper. That sums him up.”
Asked if starting recent matches on the bench had given Diallo extra motivation, Van Nistelrooy said: “Apparently so because I think he was excellent.
“In the first half he was our best player. Already he looked sharp, did well.
What a strike this was from Amad Diallo 😮💨
It''s his second of the night for Manchester United 💥
📺 @tntsports & @discoveryplusUK pic.twitter.com/g4uqrnAFo1
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) November 7, 2024
“The second half he decided the game for us with two important goals, so he did excellent.”
Diallo has had his highs and lows since joining United from Atalanta in January 2021, with the winger’s mentality impressing Van Nistelrooy.
“He’s a great character, he’s a hard worker,” the Dutchman said.
“He shows that in every training session, that attitude, and also extra work. Every day after training he comes to me and he wants to do extra finishing, extra crossing, extra one v ones.
“‘How can I improve my shot?’ ‘How can I improve my heading?, etc, etc, etc.
“He’s constantly focused on learning, getting better, living very professional, in a professional way, so he’s very motivated to get the maximum out of his career.
“After so many games he didn’t start, he had a great performance today, so I was very pleased for him.”
Diallo was the star man and limped off late in the second half to a standing ovation, being replaced by Mason Mount.
“He had to come off unfortunately,” Van Nistelrooy said. “He’s being assessed now.
“Of course I hope that he will be available for Sunday, but we have to wait and see.”
We''ve reached the halfway point of the league phase 👀#UEL pic.twitter.com/eVGluRURX9
— UEFA Europa League (@EuropaLeague) November 7, 2024
The victory moved United up to 15th as the 36-team league phase reached the halfway point, with their next Europa League match against Bodo/Glimt being Amorim’s first match at Old Trafford.
The 39-year-old’s first fixture will be just before that at Ipswich after an international break the Red Devils head into following Sunday’s home match against Leicester.
United beat the Foxes 5-2 in the Carabao Cup in Van Nistelrooy’s first game in temporary charge, with the fan favourite determined to end his stint on a high.
“For me, it’s important now to carry on and build on the results of Leicester, of Chelsea and of PAOK,” he said.
“I think the second half we can build on, result we can build on.
“First European home win after one year. We addressed that in the dressing room, and it was time to change that.
“The players did very well doing so, and Sunday is a big game for us in the league to get a good performance in again.”
Amorim takes charge of his final Sporting Lisbon match at former club Braga on Sunday after Van Nistelrooy leads United against Leicester with his role as assistant unclear beyond then.
“I think that Ruben (from) what he’s saying is he focuses on Braga, and I focus on Leicester,” the caretaker boss added.
“I think that’s a great one for now, and that shows that we’re focused on the day by day job and get the maximum out of the team.
“Let him focus on Braga, I’ll focus on Leicester, and we’ll see after that.”
Let's start our Daily Laugh today. Arsenal hold meeting with Viktor Gyokeres' agent Liverpool Now "They only brag about their UCLs" lol Joshua couldn't keep up the pressure Senegoal? ThisPlease stay tuned on Daily Laugh. There will be more fun tomorrow!(Credit: Justtoonit, FootballLaughss, NoContextChe1, originaltrollfootball, PL__OOC)...
The former Borussia Dortmund winger is back at Manchester United after Chelsea rejected the chance to make his move permanent.Chelsea have turned down the chance to sign Jadon SanchoManager Ruben Amorim has no plans to integrate Sancho back into his first team - meaning the 25-year-old is searching for a fresh start.And SunSport understands Aston Villa, Tottenham and Newcastle are all monitoring d...
Marseille have reached an agreement in principle to sign England midfielder Angel Gomes, the Ligue 1 club announced Wednesday.Gomes had previously revealed that he would leave Lille when his contract expires this summer.The 24 year-old impressed when earning his first England caps under interim head coach Lee Carsley last year but has yet to feature under current boss Thomas Tuchel.Angel Gomes' pe...
The Premier League champs intend to spend big on another attacker even after they complete a British-transfer record £127million deal for Bayer Leverkusen's Florian Wirtz.Bradley Barcola has emerged as a shock target for LiverpoolLiverpool still have hope of signing Alexander IsakFlorian Wirtz is set to move to Anfield in a record £127m dealAnd they are prepared to battle Bayern Munich f...
Marseille land GomesMarseille have completed the signing of England international Angel Gomes on a free transfer.The midfielder is leaving Lille at the end of his contract but has turned down reported Premier League interest to remain in Ligue 1.Newcastle and Chelsea battle for TraffordNewcastle fear Chelsea could hijack their move for Burnley goalkeeper James Trafford, report The Telegraph.The En...
Joao Felix and Sterling left out of Chelsea CWC squadChelsea have included several new signings in their Club World Cup squad, leaving out Raheem Sterling and Joao Felix.New signings Mike Penders, Mamadou Sarr, Dario Essugo, and Liam Delap were included in Enzo Maresca’s squad for the United States.Among those left out are Sterling and Felix, both of whom spent time away from Stamford Bridge...
Quentin Merlin and Portugal's defender Rodrigo Pinheiro vie for the ballGroup C heavy-hitters Portugal and France played out a tense 0-0 draw on matchday one of the 2025 UEFA European U21 Championships, as Rui Jorge’s side avoided a third successive defeat with an assured display in Trencin.In a first meeting between the two heavyweight nations since 2011, it was Portugal who edged a cagey o...
Arsenal star Saka admits fears over hamstring injury recoveryArsenal star Bukayo Saka admits he doubted his fitness after suffering a hamstring injury earlier this season.The 23-year-old came off the bench in England’s 3-1 loss to Senegal and has now opened up about the self-doubts he faced in regaining form, having been a key figure for both club and country.0"It’s about not thinking ...
Premier League clubs increased their spending in the January window to £370 million -- up on the £100m paid out last year -- though Manchester City are chiefly responsible after splashing out £180m of that on their own. We were nowhere near the 2023 record of £815m, but will the summer see a rise in expensive moves?This year, for the first time, the transfer window has been spl...
The 2026 FIFA Men's World Cup kicks off a year today when joint-hosts Mexico get the tournament underway in Mexico City's Azteca Stadium on June 11, 2026.It will be the biggest World Cup, with the format expanding from 32 nations at Qatar 2022 to 48 teams in USA, Mexico and Canada. The result is 104 games across 16 cities in three nations before the new world champion is crowned at New Jersey's Me...
- 1 England player ratings vs Andorra: Cole Palmer disappoints as Kane bails out Tuchel
- 2 Bayer Leverkusen interested in shock move for Jack Grealish
- 3 Daily Laugh - Morata : Me again?
- 4 Harvey Elliott opens door to Liverpool exit
- 5 Tottenham players fuming! Spurs facing player revolt as stars left furious by decision to brutally sack Ange Postecoglou after Europa League win
- 6 Transfer news: Jadon Sancho announces move as Liverpool confirm deal
- 7 'We are responsible for the results' - England boss Thomas Tuchel gives verdict on Tottenham's decision to sack Ange Postecoglou despite Europa League glory
- 8 Brazil vs Paraguay Prediction 11 June 2025
- 9 Chelsea offered Mohammed Kudus! Blues enter talks with West Ham over deal to sign winger as Hammers ask about swap deal
- 10 Bryan Mbeumo 'picks between Man Utd and Tottenham' as transfer agreement struck