Manchester United vs PAOK: Why the Experts Got it Wrong

Old Trafford has seen its fair share of European nights, but the clash between Manchester United vs PAOK in November 2024 was something different. It wasn't exactly a vintage performance. Honestly, for the first 45 minutes, it was a bit of a slog.

The stadium was buzzing, mostly thanks to the 4,000 traveling Greek fans who quite literally didn't stop singing. They were loud. Like, "can’t hear the person next to you" loud. Meanwhile, on the pitch, United looked like a team stuck in second gear. They had the ball, sure, but they weren't doing much with it.

The Amad Diallo Show

If you're looking for the reason United walked away with a 2-0 win, his name is Amad Diallo. The 22-year-old hadn't started a game in over a month. People were starting to wonder why. He played like a man with a massive point to prove, and he did exactly that.

His first goal came just five minutes after the break. Bruno Fernandes whipped in a deep, looping cross—the kind only Bruno seems to try—and Amad was there at the back post. It wasn't a thumping header. It was more of a delicate, calculated loop that drifted back across the face of the goal and kissed the post on its way in.

But it was his second goal that really got the crowd on their feet. Basically, he just bullied Abdul Baba Rahman. He won the ball through sheer grit, shrugged off the defender, and then curled a beautiful strike from the edge of the box. Ruud van Nistelrooy, the interim boss at the time, said it perfectly: "That second goal had everything that is Amad Diallo."

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What the Stats Don’t Tell You

When you look at the final score, 2-0 seems comfortable. It wasn't. For a good chunk of the second half, PAOK were right in it. Tarik Tissoudali had a chance that will probably haunt him for a while—he was completely unmarked in the box but hit a tame shot straight at Andre Onana.

If that goes in, the atmosphere in Manchester shifts instantly.

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Tactical Tweaks and Growing Pains

Ruud van Nistelrooy admitted after the match that the first half was "not good." His words, not mine. The shape was off. The midfielders, Manuel Ugarte and Casemiro, were having a hard time finding the creative sparks in the "number 10" pockets.

• Possession: United held 52.5%, but it felt hollow for a while.
• The Defense: Jonny Evans, playing like a fine wine at 36, was the unsung hero. He had to clear a ball off the line early on.
• The Bench: Ruud eventually threw on Marcus Rashford and Christian Eriksen to settle things down.

There was a weird moment near the end too. Shola Shoretire, who literally grew up at United’s academy, came on for PAOK. He even got into a little spat with Casemiro. Talk about a strange homecoming.

The "Amorim Audition"

Remember, this was the penultimate game for Ruud before Ruben Amorim took over. Every player was effectively on trial. While Amad aced his audition, others struggled. Rasmus Hojlund had a tough night. He only touched the ball 10 times in the first half. Paul Scholes was pretty vocal about it on TNT Sports, suggesting Hojlund needs a coach who truly believes in his specific style of play.

Why This Match Mattered More Than Most

United hadn't won a European game in 380 days. Let that sink in for a second. The last victory was back in October 2023 against Copenhagen. For a club with United's history, that's almost unthinkable. This win didn't just give them three points; it broke a mental curse.

It also kept up a weirdly specific record: Manchester United have now won seven straight home matches against Greek opposition. The aggregate score across those games is a staggering 22-1.

Actionable Takeaways for Fans and Analysts

If you're following the trajectory of this squad, here is what actually matters moving forward:

1. Amad is a Starter: His ability to press and win duels (as seen in the second goal) is exactly what modern high-pressing systems require. He can't be a bench warmer anymore.
2. The Defensive Transition: Even against "lesser" European sides, United's backline is prone to lapses. The Tissoudali chance proved that structural issues remain.
3. The Hojlund Paradox: He needs service. Without a functioning link between the midfield and the striker, he becomes a ghost.

The win moved United up to 15th in the Europa League table, firmly in the hunt for the knockout stages. It wasn't pretty, but in European football, the result is the only thing the history books keep. Keep an eye on how the wide rotations change; the reliance on individual brilliance from players like Amad is a temporary fix for a long-term tactical puzzle.