Manchester United take on Greek side PAOK in the Europa League tonight at Old Trafford, with Ruud van Nistelrooy’s side looking for their first win of this season’s European campaign.
United laboured to a 1-1 draw with Chelsea last weekend, though this match against the Greek champions offers a good chance for a morale-boosting performance in what is Van Nistelrooy’s penultimate match in charge. United lie in 21st position in the competition’s league table, but while the Greek champions have been in good form domestically, they have faltered in Europe so far this season with only one point from three games.
Incoming United manager Ruben Amorim takes charge of the club on 11 November, the day after the league match against Leicester, and van Nistelrooy can do his successor a favour with an important three points in both of his remaining matches.
Follow the latest score and all the action from Man Utd v PAOK below.
Man Utd vs PAOK LIVE
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Man Utd host Greek side PAOK in the Europa League | 8pm GMT live on TNT Sports 2
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Ruud van Nistelrooy takes charge of his penultimate game at the helm
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Man Utd XI: Onana, Mazraoui, Lindelof, Evans, Dalot, Ugarte, Casemiro, Amad, Fernandes, Garnacho, Hojlund.
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PAOK XI: Kotarski, Jonny, Kedziora, Colley, Baba, Ozdoev, Schwab, Zivkovic, Camara, Taidon, Tissoudali.
Manchester United FC 0 – 0 PAOK Thessaloniki FC
Half-time: Manchester United 0-0 PAOK
20:50 , Lawrence Ostlere
United finish the half on the front foot as Bruno Fernandes makes a good run into the box. He dummies to cross and then stops the ball dead near the right byline, throwing most of PAOK’s defence the wrong way, before setting the ball back for Amad. But the winger jumps over the ball thinking there must be a teammate arriving behind him, and there isn’t one.
A bit of a mess, and that’s half-time.
Manchester United 0-0 PAOK
20:47 , Lawrence Ostlere
42 min: Good from PAOK, who come fowards in a couple of waves of attack. Baba Rahman skips away from Mazraoui on the left side of the box and zips a dangerous low cross into the centre, but fortunately for United it misses his teammates and Garnacho is there at the far post to clear.
Manchester United 0-0 PAOK
20:42 , Lawrence Ostlere
39 min: We are ticking closer to half-time, and this has all been a little bit underwhelming from the home side. Some bright moments, but the spark lacking throughout most of Ten Hag’s tenure still seems to be missing.
Wingers liven up slow start to Europa League clash
20:38 , Richard Jolly at Old Trafford
The PAOK right winger Andrija Zivkovic has been lively – indeed, the two liveliest players on the pitch have been the right wingers, with Amad Diallo United’s brightest individual so far.
The most watchable, in his inimitable way, may be Casemiro, a strangely entertaining player. Though so far, this is not a particularly entertaining game.
Manchester United 0-0 PAOK
20:37 , Lawrence Ostlere
32 min: United surge down the right with Amad and Bruno Fernandes connecting, but they run into a dead end near the box as Baba Rahman – formerly of Chelsea – races back to shut down the winger.
Manchester United 0-0 PAOK
20:31 , Lawrence Ostlere
28 min: A shot by the visitors, and it comes from their main threat so far, Zivkovic, cutting in from the right side on to his left foot before letting fly, but it sails straight into the chest of Onana.
Manchester United 0-0 PAOK
20:30 , Lawrence Ostlere
26 min: Excellent defending by PAOK’s Jonny Otto, as Bruno Fernandes slips Casemiro into the box and the Brazilian looks to line up a shot, only to be dispossessed at the last possible moment.
Manchester United 0-0 PAOK
20:28 , Lawrence Ostlere
24 min: The game has settled into a rhythm, with United keeping most of the ball and PAOK having to stay compact and defend inside their own half, but it’s still goalless.
Manchester United 0-0 PAOK
20:22 , Lawrence Ostlere
19 min: More pressure from United. First Amad dribbles into the box and is bundled off the ball, with a legitimate shout for a penalty which is waved away by the Romanian referee. Then Garnacho dribbles inside and fires a shot but it’s headed off target by a PAOK defender. And a moment later, a curling cross is headed straight at the goalkeeper by Rasmus Hojlund.
PAOK fans making a racket at Old Trafford
20:19 , Richard Jolly at Old Trafford
The overriding impression from the start is just how loud the PAOK fans are. If they could turn the volume down for a bit, that might be appreciated. In other news, Erik ten Hag’s plan of using Noussair Mazraoui as a No 10 in Europe seems to have been abandoned by Ruud van Nistelrooy. A shame.
Manchester United 0-0 PAOK
20:17 , Lawrence Ostlere
13 min: United earn themselves a string of corners as they crank up the pressure on the black and white stripes of PAOK, but the Greek side dig in and clear their lines.
Manchester United 0-0 PAOK
20:12 , Lawrence Ostlere
9 min: Nothing yet resembling a shot on target by either side. Amad tries to jink into the box from the right side but his little cutback is intercepted.
Manchester United 0-0 PAOK
20:09 , Lawrence Ostlere
6 min: PAOK have settled after a slightly frantic opening, and they are enjoying a brief spelling of possession in their own half.
Manchester United 0-0 PAOK
20:06 , Lawrence Ostlere
4 min: Van Nistelrooy’s approach of having his full-backs come inside to leave space for the wingers on either touchline is clearly visible in these early moments. Dalot and Mazraoui are constantly filling the centre of the pitch and its Garnacho and Amad offering width.
Manchester United 0-0 PAOK
20:04 , Lawrence Ostlere
2 min: United start brightly, but Garnacho makes a poor error as they reach the box, overhitting his pass to Bruno Fernandes. It runs out for a goal-kick.
Kick-off! Manchester United 0-0 PAOK
20:03 , Lawrence Ostlere
We’re underway, and Amad is immediately clattered, winning a foul. There’s a great noise in the stadium from both sets of supporters.
Manchester United v PAOK – Europa League
19:59 , Lawrence Ostlere
The players are out on the pitch, shaking hands. A reminder of the line-ups:
Man Utd XI: Onana, Mazraoui, Lindelof, Evans, Dalot, Ugarte, Casemiro, Amad, Fernandes, Garnacho, Hojlund.
PAOK XI: Kotarski, Jonny, Kedziora, Colley, Baba, Ozdoev, Schwab, Zivkovic, Camara, Taidon, Tissoudali.
Manchester United v PAOK – Europa League
19:51 , Lawrence Ostlere
A few pictures as the teams warm up before kick-off, with 10 minutes to go at Old Trafford…
Van Nistelrooy in the dark of his Old Trafford future
19:39 , Lawrence Ostlere
Interim boss Ruud van Nistelrooy is hoping to hand over the side to Amorim after overseeing back-to-back wins, with PAOK tonight and Leicester to come on the weekend, but the fan favourite’s future beyond that remains unclear.
The former striker returned to Old Trafford in the summer as one of Ten Hag’s assistants and had expressed his desire to stay at the club once Amorim arrives.
“I didn’t have contact so far,” Van Nistelrooy said. “There’s no changes in that. I don’t know when (there will be) yet either.”
Asked what the ideal scenario would be for him, he added: “I don’t know. It’s difficult to comment on that now. I’m waiting for conversations to take place. In the meantime, obviously the most important for this club is getting the work done on a daily basis and in the game coming up [tonight].
“It’s a European night at Old Trafford against the Greek champions, second in the league currently. Honestly, I have to say that I feel the responsibility to do well over the next week and that’s my job. I’m focused on that. As I said, I welcome Ruben, happy (to be) here to help and help him and that’s the situation for the moment.”
Andre Onana: I feel bad for Ten Hag
19:28 , Lawrence Ostlere
Manchester United goalkeeper Andre Onana spoke up this week about the sacking of manager Erik ten Hag, who brought him to Old Trafford two summers ago.
“When I heard he was leaving, obviously I feel bad,” the goalkeeper said. “It’s not always easy for players to understand when a manager is leaving. But at the end of the day the club have to make a decision and we have to follow.
“Yes, I worked with him, he’s a good manager, I have a very good relationship with him.
“Why things didn’t work here? We didn’t win enough games, so it’s simple. In high level it’s not easy. Sometimes you have to pay the price. Unfortunately it was him. We did everything, the players gave everything, we worked hard, we tried out best, but it just didn’t work.”
PAOK confirmed line-up
19:16 , Lawrence Ostlere
PAOK XI: Kotarski, Jonny, Kedziora, Colley, Baba, Ozdoev, Schwab, Zivkovic, Camara, Taidon, Tissoudali.
Manchester United team news
18:58 , Lawrence Ostlere
So Ruud van Nistelrooy makes three changes, with De Ligt, Martinez and Rashford dropping to the bench as Lindelof, Evans and Amad start.
There’s good news on the bench for United and incoming manager Ruben Amorim, as Mount, Eriksen and Antony are fit enough to be on the bench following injury.
Manchester United’s confirmed line-up
18:47 , Lawrence Ostlere
The team is in!
Manchester United XI: Onana; Mazraoui, Lindelof, Evans, Dalot; Ugarte, Casemiro; Amad, Fernandes, Garnacho; Hojlund.
Subs: Bayindir, Heaton, Amass, De Ligt, Martinez, Eriksen, Fitzgerald, Mount, Antony, Rashford, Wheatley, Zirkzee.
Man Utd will adapt to Amorim’s style, says Onana
18:44 , Lawrence Ostlere
Andre Onana is confident Manchester United’s squad boasts the quality and pragmatism to embrace incoming head coach Ruben Amorim’s approach.
The Old Trafford hierarchy acted swiftly by appointing the Sporting Lisbon boss last week, having unanimously decided to sack Erik ten Hag following a poor start to his third season in charge.
Amorim enjoyed the perfect send-off in his final match at the Jose Alvalade Stadium on Tuesday night, masterminding a stunning 4-1 win against United’s rivals Manchester City in the Champions League.
Onana was among those impressed viewers and believes the Portuguese is taking over a club with the ability to adapt to his demands, indicating his favoured high-energy 3-4-3 system could also work.
“I did watch the game yesterday,” the United goalkeeper said. “Great victory for them, by the way.
“Different system, but my players, my team-mates, we are all pragmatic.
“I think everyone here is capable to play in each system, so I don’t think this will be any issue for us. We have big players, so they will step up.”
Predicted line-ups
18:34 , Lawrence Ostlere
Man Utd XI: Bayindir; Dalot, de Ligt, Lindelof, Martinez; Ugarte, Casemiro; Rashford, Fernandes, Amad; Zirkzee.
PAOK XI: Kotarski; Castro, Kedziora, Colley, Rahman; Schwab, Camara; Despodov, Murg, Taison; Brandon.
Team news
18:18 , Lawrence Ostlere
Ruud van Nistelrooy has stated that United are still thin in midfield, with Christian Eriksen joining a list of absentees that includes Kobbie Mainoo and Toby Collyer, as well as defenders Luke Shaw and Tyrell Malacia. However, Mason Mount has made a full return to training.
Bruno Fernandes will return from his one-match European suspension, and the United manager will likely have similar options to those he had at the weekend against Chelsea.
The Dutchman could look to rotate ahead of welcoming Leicester City at the weekend, with Amad Diallo, Victor Lindelof and Joshua Zirkzee potentially all in line for a start. Younsgters Harry Amass and Jack Fletcher could feature in some capacity too, especially with United short at left-back and in central midfield.
For PAOK, former Liverpool defender Dejan Lovren has not been registered for the competition. Club captain Vieirinha is also ineligible, as is ex-Aston Villa striker Mbwana Samatta, while former Chelsea man Tiemoue Bakayoko is injured.
Ex-United youngster Shola Shoretire came off the bench for the Greek side at the weekend, and could feature at Old Trafford once more.
Is Manchester United vs PAOK on TV tonight? Kick-off time, channel and how to watch Europa League fixture
18:02 , Lawrence Ostlere
When is the game?
Manchester United host PAOK at 8pm GMT on Thursday 7 November at Old Trafford, Manchester.
Where can I watch it?
The match will be broadcast on TNT Sports 2. Subscribers can stream via the discovery+ app.
You can purchase a TNT Sports subscription via discovery+ here, for only £30.99 per month.
Man Utd vs PAOK LIVE
17:46 , Lawrence Ostlere
Manchester United face Greek champions PAOK at Old Trafford on Thursday in matchday four of the Europa Leagueleague phase.
Interim manager Ruud van Nistelrooy takes charge of his penultimate game at the helm, with United looking for their first three points of the new campaign after three disappointing draws in their opening games.
United currently sit 23rd in the league phase table, just within the play-off places, and will need to pick up points in their next matches in order to avoid another two games during a congested winter period in the new year.
Fans are looking forward to the start of Ruben Amorim’s tenure, which starts on 11 November, but van Nistelrooy can do his successor a favour with three points here after a decent result against Chelsea last week.
Man Utd vs PAOK LIVE
17:30 , Lawrence Ostlere
Good evening and welcome to The Independent’s coverage of Manchester United vs PAOK in the Europa League.
Ruud van Nistelrooy’s side are hunting their first win in the competition this season, ahead of the imminent arrival of new manager Ruben Amorim.
Greek champions PAOK sit second in their domestic league, though the home side are the clear favourites as they enter the last stages of van Nistelrooy’s brief tenure.
And we’ll have all the latest news, updates and build-up here.
Read the full article here
