Manchester United earned their first Europa League win after beating PAOK Salonika at Old Trafford by 2-0 on Thursday. After a goalless first half, Amad Diallo scored a brace to help his team register a much-needed win.
Diallo scored in the 50th minute and then found the back of the net in the 77th minute.
United had drawn their three previous Europa League games but they were finally able to get the win. The Red Devils now have six points in the Europa League standings.
“It’s been a long time since we won in Europe. Today we showed why we are one of the best teams. It was important to win today,” Amad told TNT Sports.
“It is important to score every time. This season I have been unlucky so I am happy to score two today. But the most important thing was to win.”
On the other hand, United’s interim manager Ruud Van Nistelrooy said they were far better in the second half as compared to the opening half.
“It was a pretty poor first half if I’m being nice,” Van Nistelrooy said. “The second half way was better. That was clear.
“[Amad] made a difference today because of his goals but he was very sharp. Well done to him, good game. Positionally we weren’t good in the first half. We were much better at that in the second half.”
Meanwhile, Ruben Amorim will take over from Nistelrooy as the head coach of the team. However, former United’s midfielder Paul Scholes reckons the ex-striker should have continued as the team’s gaffer.
“I think he should be manager,” Scholes said on TNT Sports (via The Peoples Person).
“Just watching him in three games, he did well in Holland, he won the Dutch cup, he won other things, he just looks like he’s made to be a manager. I think he’s better than being an assistant manager, I think he should be managing a club.”
United will take on Leicester City at Old Trafford on Sunday.