Amad Diallo was Man Utd’s best player on the night Credit: Getty Images/James Gill
With players looking to catch the eye of Ruben Amorim, it was Amad Diallo who staked his claim for a place in his plans with goals to end Manchester United’s wretched run without winning a European match.
More than a year had passed since United’s previous victory, a narrow win against FC Copenhagen, until Amad’s double against the Greek champions. One was a looping header, the other a fine individual effort created and finished off himself.
Amad, now 22, has never quite established himself regularly since arriving in the Ole Gunnar Solskjaer era for €25million from the talent factory of Atalanta. Loans at Rangers and Sunderland suggested he was at a crossroads of his United career.
Amorim arrives as head coach next week, and here is an opportunity to be an important part of the new regime. Amorim has worked with talents such as the highly-rated Geovany Quenda and Amad will be relishing showing the new man in charge what he is capable of.
“He’s a great character and a hard worker. He does extra work after training, constantly focused on working and getting better,” said caretaker manager Ruud van Nistelrooy.
It has turned into quite a week for United, with Amorim masterminding a statement win against Manchester City in his final home game at Sporting Lisbon before heading to the Premier League.
It may have been on a lower-key stage but United have given glimpses under Van Nistelrooy that Amorim has something to work with. An example was Manuel Ugarte, a former Sporting player, showing a good range of passing. Amad was the star of this victory though, with his second-half goals getting Van Nistelrooy animated on the sidelines.
Van Nistelrooy has at least ended United’s six-match run without a win in European matches, the worst run since successive poor campaigns from 1980 to1983. Twente, Porto and Fenerbahce all earned draws against United this season, with their winless run dating back to Oct 2023.
“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,” said Amad afterwards. “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.”
It will be interesting to see how Amorim works with Rasmus Hojlund, who has only shown glimpses of his potential so far in 15 months at the club. Amorim has turned Viktor Gyokeres into one of the most lethal strikers in Europe over the last couple of seasons, with his use of a No 9 seemingly ideal for Hojlund.
In this game, the Denmark striker struggled to make an impact, with his only chance coming from a header that was easily saved. “It didn’t happen enough for him. In the second half we were better in positions but some of the crosses didn’t come for him,” said Van Nistelrooy.
With Hojlund struggling, the goals came from Amad. His first was five minutes into the second half when he showed a strikers’ instinct for goal. Bruno Fernandes set up the opener, floating a ball to the far post where Amad had peeled off Baba Rahman, who had given him too much space. The finish looped over Dominik Kotarski and went in off the post.
The 22-year-old kissed the United badge in celebration once the VAR formalities were completed. His second goal came after pinching the ball off Baba before heading to the penalty area, which he curled perfectly into the corner from the edge of the box. “It came from work we did in the training. we have to press the opposing team,”said Amad.
He picked up an injury after scoring his second, which will be a concern for the weekend, but had made a statement to his new boss.
For Van Nistelrooy, he is yet to speak to Amorim about what the future will hold. The Portuguese coach will bring in his own staff and a decision will be made on whether the Dutchman stays or goes his own way as a manager.
“I enjoy it but Sunday is another one and I’m so focused on doing that so I’m not thinking of what is next,” said Van Nistelrooy. “It’s important to carry on and build. We can build on results and a first European home win in a year. It was time to change that and we addressed that in the dressing room.”
Van Nistelrooy stalking the technical area was another reminder of where United once were. The Dutchman feasted on 38 goals in 47 games in Uefa competition, usually dining at Europe’s top table rather than on Thursday evenings in the second-tier competition. But this is where United are, with the win taking them to 15th in the table.
Afterwards, United goalkeeper Andre Onana revealed there is backing from players for Van Nistelrooy to stay on in some capacity.
“A hundred per cent. He is a very good guy and a very good coach,” said Onana. “He has so much experience and he has done amazing since he has been here. We’ve had him for a few days as a head coach and the players are happy but it’s not something we can decide.
“The club make a decision and we have to accept because they have the final decision.”
