(4-4-2) Van Nistelrooy still in charge”, Man United Predicted XI Vs PAOK: Fernandez Dropped; Amad Starts Ahead Of Garnacho
(4-4-2) Van Nistelrooy still in charge”, Man United Predicted XI Vs PAOK: Fernandez Dropped; Amad Starts Ahead Of Garnacho
PAOK will become the 124th different club Manchester United have faced in UEFA or FIFA competition, and fourth different Greek opponent. The Red Devils have won all six previous home games against teams from Greece, seeking to maintain that statistic.
Manchester United vs PAOK Preview
Can Manchester United claim a much-needed Europa League victory? Under Erik ten Hag, they have drawn all three matches in this competition so far, held by Twente at Old Trafford, Porto in a six-goal thriller at the Dragão and then Fenerbahçe in İstanbul a fortnight ago, despite leading in all of these games. This, alongside the fact they were 14th in the Premier League, saw ten Hag sacked a week ago, with Rúben Amorim confirmed as his successor, set to begin work on Monday.
For now, Ruud van Nistelrooy is in interim charge, with this the third of four fixtures he will oversee. First, last Wednesday, Man United smashed Leicester 5-2 in the EFL Cup before, at the weekend, earning a 1-1 draw with Chelsea; Bruno Fernandes converting a spot-kick, only for the Blues to equalise soon after. Down in 13th and already six points adrift the top five, winning a cup competition is likely to be Man United’s best hope of salvaging this season, so can they belatedly put three more points on the board in the Europa League?
PAOK meantime won the Greek Super League title for only the fourth time last season, dumped out of Champions League qualifying by Malmö earlier this year, thereby settling for a place in this competition. Well, so far, that’s not really gone to plan either for Răzvan Lucescu’s team, losing their first two matches against Galatasaray in İstanbul as well as when FCSB visited Thessaloniki.
On matchday three, the White-Blacks were on course for another defeat, 2-0 down at home to Viktoria Plzeň, only for late goals from Tarik Tissoudali and then Baba Rahman to salvage a draw at Toumba Stadium. Domestically, PAOK are currently second, one point below surprise leaders and local rivals Aris Thessaloniki, following Sunday’s 2-1 win over Lamia, but it’s European success they crave, seeking to reach the Europa League knockout phase for the first time in eight years. Here however, a Manchester United victory seems very likely.
Manchester United vs PAOK Head-to-Head Record
These two clubs have never previously met.
Manchester United Team News
Tyrell Malacia, Luke Shaw, Leny Yoro, Harry Maguire, Mason Mount, Christian Eriksen, Kobbie Mainoo and Antony are all injured, leaving Ruud van Nistelrooy with very limited options. Altay Bayındır is set to get the nod in goal, as he did in the Carabao Cup last mid-week, while Victor Lindelöf and Jonny Evans could come into defence. Amad and Joshua Zirkzee likewise could be rotated into attack, the latter giving Rasmus Højlund a breather up front. Bruno Fernandes’ red card in Porto meant he was suspended for the clash with Fenerbahçe, but is free to play again.
Manchester United predicted lineup vs PAOK: (4-1-4-1): Bayındır; Dalot, Lindelöf, Evans, Mazraoui; Casemiro, Ugarte, Fernandes; Amad, Garnacho, Zirkzee.
Manchester United Player to Watch vs PAOK
Having scored his first goals of the season against Leicester and then Chelsea, Bruno Fernandes will be aiming to add to his 20 career Europa League goals.
PAOK Team News
Răzvan Lucescu will travel without Tiémoué Bakayoko and Giannis Konstantelias who are both injured, while neither Dejan Lovren nor Mbwana Ally Samatta are in the UEFA squad. Jonny, formally of Wolves, as well as Baba Rahman, once of Chelsea, will feature at full-back. Shola Shoretire, who joined Manchester United as a nine year old before departing this summer, will recieve a warm reception from the Old Trafford faithful should he feature.
PAOK predicted lineup vs Manchester United: (4-2-3-1): Kotarski; Jonny, Kędziora, Colley, Rahman; Camara, Ozdoev, Schwab, Živković, Taison; Thomas.
