Ruud van Nistelrooy’s short time in charge of Manchester United has been a relative success, with a win against Leicester in the League Cup, followed by the draw against Chelsea in the league, and now the clash with PAOK, the Greek visitors in the Europa League. This game brought a chance for Ruud to be the manager to end United’s run of 3 straight draws in the competition, and give a chance to push on in the table and make United a force to be reckoned with for automatic qualification.

The clash saw another packed Old Trafford crowd getting behind the team and interim coach as United didn’t do much in the first 45 minutes, but broke the deadlock shortly into the second half, before sealing the game with a second shortly after. With 3 points secured, United look more confident for automatic qualification, while Ruud continues his unbeaten run in charge, wining 2 of his 3 games so far, and another clash with Leicester City to come in a few days time.

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Teams

Manchester United went with a strong line-up from the outset, and flexed their attacking options from the bench, with Rashford, Mount and Zirkzee all arriving for late cameos, all giving the chance for the new manager coming in to see some of the players at his disposal. Ruud has been keen to rotate the minutes between the attackers, suggesting he feels confident in the options United have available.

For PAOK, there weren’t any standout notable names on the team sheet for those less familiar with the Greek side, however coming from the bench in the 84th minute for former United youngster Shola Shoretire, who moved to the club on a free transfer last summer, a standout moment for the youngster getting to step onto the Old Trafford turf one more time.

Manchester United: Onana, Dalot (Martinez 65′), Evans, Lindelof, Mazraoui, Casemiro, Ugarte (Eriksen 65′), Garnacho (Rashford 65′), Fernandes, Amad (Mount 82′), Hojlund (Zirkzee 90′)

Subs: Bayindir, Heaton, Amass, De Ligt, Fitzgerald, Antony, Wheatley

PAOK: Kotarski, Baba, Colley, Kedziora, Otto, Schwab (Bakayoko 65′), Ozdoev, Taison (Shoretire 84′), Camara (Despodov 75′), Zivkovic, Tissoudali (Chalov 65′)

Subs: Monastirlis, Balomenos, Michailidis, Sastre, Thimianis, Brandon

Manchester United 2-0 PAOK

Manchester United and PAOK battled through a lacklustre first half at Old Trafford in the Europa League. Neither side could find a breakthrough, with United unable to impose themselves despite some bright moments. The arrival of the second half changed everything, however, as the contest came alive thanks to a moment of genius from Amad Diallo. Five minutes in, he met a Bruno Fernandes cross and delivered a looping header that nestled into the far corner, setting the tone for a thrilling turnaround.

While PAOK weren’t without chances, Tarik Tissoudali squandered a golden opportunity around the hour mark, Amad once again made the difference. Around the 77th minute, he dispossessed defender Abdul Baba Rahman, then took the ball into shooting range and curled a beautiful strike into the corner, making it 2–0 and all-but ending the contest. His performance earned him man of the match honours, and it marked United’s first victory of the Europa League campaign under interim boss Ruud van Nistelrooy, snapping a frustrating sequence of three draws.

The atmosphere at Old Trafford was electric, with 73,174 fans witnessing a turn in United’s European fortunes. André Onana contributed with key saves to preserve the clean sheet, and the team overall played a vastly improved second half after a sluggish start. The victory revitalised United’s Europa League campaign, jumping them into 15th place in the group and injecting confidence for the remainder of the competition.

Talking Points

Ruud van Nistelrooy’s steady start as interim manager continued with another positive result, as Manchester United extended their unbeaten run under the Dutchman. While the first half against PAOK was a cagey affair, Van Nistelrooy’s side showed resilience and patience before asserting themselves after the break. The 2-0 win not only showcased his growing influence on the squad but also provided evidence that the players are responding to his tactical tweaks and calm leadership. With the pressure surrounding United’s turbulent season, maintaining that unbeaten record is no small feat.

The real star of the evening, however, was Amad Diallo. The Ivorian winger delivered a standout performance, scoring both goals and proving to be United’s difference-maker in Europe. His first came from a perfectly timed header, while his second was all about individual brilliance, winning the ball high up the pitch before curling a superb strike into the net. Amad’s display was not just about the goals; his energy, creativity, and fearlessness on the ball gave Old Trafford a glimpse of the exciting attacking spark he can bring when trusted with a big stage.

Most importantly for United, the victory marked their first win of this Europa League campaign. After three frustrating draws in the group stage, the breakthrough result against PAOK gives them renewed hope of progressing comfortably. The clean sheet, the attacking verve in the second half, and the sense of momentum were all vital boosts for a side that badly needed to find their rhythm in Europe. With confidence on the rise and the group table tightening up, United will see this night as a turning point in their continental journey.