Amad gives Ruben Amorim food for thought as Man Utd cruise to PAOK win - 5 talking points
MANCHESTER UNITED 2-0 PAOK: Amad scores two second-half goals to down the Greek champions and give Ruud van Nistelrooy's United a first win of the season in the Europa League
by Felix Keith · The MirrorAmad scored twice in a man-of-the-match performance to put some much-needed excitement back into Manchester United's season against PAOK.
United struggled to fashion much against the Greek champions in the first half as Amad saw a strong shout for a penalty rejected by VAR. But the young winger broke the deadlock five minutes into the second half when he looped home a header from Bruno Fernandes' deep cross.
Tarik Tissoudali spurned a golden opportunity for PAOK to equalise when he fired a tame shot into the gloves of Andre Onana after being found in the penalty area. Just as things were beginning to grow nervy inside Old Trafford, Amad struck again, stealing back possession before curling into the far corner from the edge of the area.
After three straight draws, United have finally secured a win in the Europa League to get their campaign back on track by beating a side who have just one point in the Europa League this season and have won just six of their 10 games in the Greek top flight. They are up to the dizzy heights of 15th in the Europa League table.
Ruud van Nistelrooy has one final game as interim manager this weekend against Leicester before handing over the reins to Ruben Amorim. Here are the talking points.
1. Familiar story
Manchester United's front line are full of promise, but they simply aren't delivering. Alejandro Garnacho (20) and Rasmus Hojlund (21) are far from the finished article - and they showed again why they should not be starting week after week for a club of the stature of United.
Amad was undoubtedly the brightest of the lot in the first half as he tried to audition for a starting role, running at the defence from the right wing while drifting inside and linking nicely with Bruno Fernandes. But his dummy of a pass with no-one waiting behind him on the stroke of half-time summed up United's lack of cutting edge in the first 45 minutes.
They went in at half-time having managed just one shot on target - a tame header from Hojlund from a pinpoint Amad delivery - to PAOK's two, with Hojlund touching the ball just 10 times and completing just three passes in 45 minutes. Such a drab performance should have been met with a furious reaction from the home fans at Old Trafford, but instead the reaction to the whistle was more a familiar sigh.
2. Amad's endeavour pays off
Amad is not known for his ability in the air, but it was his enthusiasm and desire to impress which was evident as Fernandes swung a cross to the back post. The 5ft 6in winger jumped as high as he could, strained his neck muscles and re-directed the ball towards the back post. He was delighted to see it drop in.
The second was even better. Amad pinched the ball off former Chelsea left-back Baba Rahman, drove forward and curled into the far corner, via a helpful deflection.
It was Amad's first start in over a month. He has struggled to make an impact while coming off the substitutes' bench into a team devoid of confidence. United fans will hope that a second and third goal of the season can be a springboard towards better, more consistent things.
3. United still searching for a style
United had clearly lost their way under Erik ten Hag, who frequently batted away reasonable criticism about the lack of a clear playing style or identity with feeble excuses. The club obviously hopes that the arrival of Amorim on Monday will help define this team, but for now they are still lacking a coherent approach with and without the ball.
Before kick-off, Van Nistelrooy was asked on TNT Sports whether criticism of the team's lack of style hurt him. "I didn't hear it, but when you tell me now, it's not of the biggest importance," he replied.
"Of course, I want to have the players on the pitch to play at their best, then you have to make a formation to play and a formation to defend and work on different skills. But I think confidence is such a big thing in football. Sometimes when the confidence is low and results are against you, it affects performances and style." On this evidence, that confidence will take some time to return.
4. End to European embarrassment
The performance was lacking. But United did at least finally win a match in a European competition. Coming into this fixture, United had tasted victory in just one of their last 11 matches in Europe, having drawn all three of their Europa League games this season.
Their frailties have been extremely obvious in the competition and, remarkably, this was their first win in 380 days in Europe. Finally, with Amad firing, they have something to be hopeful and excited about.
5. Competition for places
Hojlund has now gone another game without a goal. Marcus Rashford was brought off the bench for Garnacho but was barely involved in the match. Joshua Zirkzee stayed on the bench even later, appearing in the 90th minute, as Van Nistelrooy gave minutes to the returning Mason Mount instead after Amad needed a rest on 80 minutes.
United's attack has been badly misfiring in the Premier League, where only Southampton and Crystal Palace have managed fewer than their tally of nine goals this season. Starting berths are up for grabs ahead of Amorim's arrival. No-one is sticking their hand up yet.
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