A brace of goals from Amad lit up an otherwise underwhelming Manchester United display as Ruud van Nistelrooy remained unbeaten as interim coach. The forward headed home the opener early in the second half, and then in the closing stages fired home from 15 yards to seal his side’s first Europa League win this season.
The youngster also seemingly sent a message to ex-boss Erik ten Hag, who had appeared reluctant to use him before his departure. He was clearly his team’s best player on the night, although the hosts were also left indebted to keeper Andre Onana.
The Cameroon No. 1 made a crucial stop at 1-0, and it was set for a nervy finale before the second goal went in after 77 minutes. It was a win Van Nistelrooy would have welcomed, but not one that will strike much by the way of fear into the club’s Premier League rivals.
Express Sport rates the Man Utd players….
Andre Onana – 8
A spectator in the early going before being called upon to make an acrobatic save from Abdoul Camara – and in the second half anticipated brilliantly to thwart Tissoudali at 1-0 too. Distributed well, with one superb long ball finding Amad in the first half.
Noussair Mazraoui – 6
Looked to get forward in his more familiar right-back role, but a lot of his running went wasted. Guilty of being caught out of position at times when United coughed up possession.
Jonny Evans – 7
Still looks assured on the ball and made one great sliding tackle late on – but also vulnerable on the few occasions that PAOK did attack with pace. Will be 37 in January and surely, won’t still be at Old Trafford by the time he’s 38.
Victor Lindelof – 6
The Swede was dependable in the air and frequently looked to play out from the back, but often put team-mates under pressure when doing so. Did send Amad through on goal in the second half but another whose time at United will surely be up at the end of the season.
Diogo Dalot – 6
Like Mazraoui, looked to get forward whenever possible, but when he did pick up the ball in attacking areas his play lacked accuracy. Wasted one promising second-half attack with a wayward shot and was hooked just after the hour mark.
Casemiro – 7
Started with real intent, with one raking cross nearly setting up Garnacho and also having appeals for a penalty turned down. Also made a crucial defensive block but his influence faded in the second half.
Manuel Ugarte – 5
Still struggling to impose himself on English football. Picked up a yellow card for a mistimed tackle after the break and was hauled off soon after.
Amad – 9
Given a rare chance to start after being overlooked by Erik ten Hag this season and he flourished. Creative out on the right, his brilliant first-half cross should have yielded a goal for Hojlund. Took his goals superbly after the break, first a header back into the far corner and then a left-footed finish from outside the area. United’s best player by a distance.
Bruno Fernandes – 7
Failed to stamp his authority on the contest but did deliver a sublime deep cross for Amad’s opener. As always, work rate was high and was pressing the PAOK defenders even at 2-0.
Alejandro Garnacho – 6
Lively and seemed determined to put Sunday’s horror show behind him. But again, his execution when it mattered was lacking. Another frustrating night for the Uruguayan.
Rasmus Hojlund – 4
For all the talk over a lack of service, the Dane struggled to link with his midfield and needs to find a way to get into games. Just 10 touches in the first half, and wasted a golden headed chance early on. A bad night for him.
Substitutes
Marcus Rashford (for Garnacho, ‘65) – 6
Does Van Nistelrooy have a decision to make for Leicester now? Replaced by Amad in the XI, and after coming on did little to suggest the decision wasn’t justified. Missed a glorious chance to make it 3-0 late on.
Christian Eriksen (for Ugarte, ‘65) – 7
In his element at 2-0, keeping possession well and taking the sting out of the game.
Lisandro Martinez (for Dalot, ‘65) – 6
Came on at left back and wasn’t truly tested as the game petered out following Amad’s second goal.
Mason Mount (for Amad, ‘81) – 6
Back on the pitch after his injury lay-off. Little time to make an impact but would have welcomed the minutes he had.
Joshua Zirkzee (for Hojlund, ‘89) – 6
One darting run after coming on but his late appearance was a token one as the clock ticked towards 90 minutes.