It had been 380 days. That is a long time to wait for a win. For Manchester United, the drought in European competition had become a weight around the club's neck, a statistic that felt more like a curse than a slump. By the time they kicked off against Greek champions PAOK at Old Trafford on November 7, 2024, the tension in the stands was thick enough to cut.
Honestly, the first half was a bit of a slog. It was poor. Ruud van Nistelrooy, standing in as interim boss before the Ruben Amorim era officially began, didn't sugarcoat it afterward. He called it "pretty poor if I’m being nice." United lacked shape. They were static. The Greek side, led by Razvan Lucescu, actually looked more comfortable for long stretches.
But then Amad Diallo decided it was his night.
The Amad Show and the Tactical Shift
The breakthrough didn't come from some complex tactical masterclass. It came from persistence. In the 50th minute, Bruno Fernandes floated a diagonal ball toward the far post. Amad, who hadn't started a match in over a month, rose to meet it. He isn't the tallest guy on the pitch, but his header was looping, deliberate, and perfect. It dropped just inside the post, leaving PAOK goalkeeper Dominik Kotarski stranded.
Suddenly, Old Trafford breathed again.
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There was a brief moment of VAR drama—PAOK claimed Rasmus Højlund had fouled Tomasz Kedziora in the buildup—but the goal stood. You could see the confidence flood back into the red shirts.
United's second goal, coming in the 77th minute, was all about individual grit. Amad chased down Abdul Baba Rahman, wrestled the ball away with a level of strength people don't usually associate with him, and then drove toward the edge of the box. He shifted the ball onto his left foot and let fly. A slight deflection helped, but the strike was pure. 2-0. Game over.
Why PAOK Will Feel Aggrieved
If you were a PAOK fan that night, you’d be thinking about "what if." They weren't just there to make up the numbers. Mady Camara forced a brilliant save out of Andre Onana in the first half with a stinging half-volley. Then there was the Tarik Tissoudali chance.
Basically, Tissoudali found himself unmarked about 12 yards out. The United defense had vanished. He had the whole goal to aim at, but he scuffed a tame shot straight at Onana. If that goes in, the atmosphere at Old Trafford turns toxic, and we’re talking about a very different result.
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PAOK showed they could compete with Premier League giants. They just lacked that final killer instinct in the box. Andrija Zivkovic was a constant threat on the right, but the final ball just wouldn't click.
Manchester United vs PAOK: The Statistical Reality
While the scoreline says 2-0, the underlying numbers tell a story of a much closer contest.
- Possession: United held 52% to PAOK's 48%. It was almost a dead heat.
- Total Shots: United had 16, but only 4 were on target. PAOK managed 8 shots, also putting 4 on target.
- Defensive Leaders: Jonny Evans was a titan. At 36, he was winning headers and clearing balls like a man ten years younger. He finished the game with 5 successful tackles and 3 aerial wins.
Ruud van Nistelrooy’s decision to start Victor Lindelöf and Evans in central defense was a gamble on experience, and it paid off. They were the ones holding the line when the midfield became a bit of a "basketball game" in the second half.
The Return of Shola Shoretire
Football loves a full-circle moment. Shola Shoretire, who still holds the record as the youngest player to ever represent Manchester United in European competition, came on as a late sub—for PAOK.
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It was a strange sight for the home crowd. He even got into a bit of a spat with Casemiro near the touchline. The United fans gave him a warm reception when he stepped onto the pitch, a nod to the academy graduate's history at the club before his move to Greece.
The Impact on the Europa League Table
This win wasn't just about morale; it was a mathematical necessity. Before the Manchester United vs PAOK clash, United were languishing in the bottom half of the 36-team league phase table after three consecutive draws against Twente, Porto, and Fenerbahce.
The three points moved them up to 15th place. It gave Ruben Amorim a platform to build on. It proved that despite the chaos of managerial changes, there is enough talent in the squad—specifically in players like Amad—to navigate the "new-look" European format.
Real-World Insights for Fans
If you're looking back at this match to understand where United is heading, keep an eye on the wingers. Amad’s performance was an "audition" for the new regime. He showed he can press, win the ball back high up the pitch, and finish under pressure. Those are exactly the traits Amorim looks for in his attacking systems.
What you can do next:
Watch the replay of Amad's second goal specifically to see his work rate. He doesn't just wait for the ball; he hunts it. For PAOK, this match serves as a blueprint for how to frustrate top-tier opposition, even if the result didn't go their way. They remained compact and dangerous on the break, a strategy that will likely serve them well in their domestic title race and future European outings.
The 2-0 win over PAOK didn't solve all of Manchester United's problems, but it stopped the bleeding. It reminded everyone that Old Trafford can still be a fortress, provided someone is brave enough to take the game by the scruff of the neck.