“After watching him against POAK, I can confirm he’s the type of player who suits to my pattern of football…I have warned Ruud van Nistelrooy to protect from injury at all cost”: Incoming Man United’s coach names ONE Man United’s player who must be protected by all means till he arrives at the club
Interim manager Ruud van Nistelrooy praised match-winner Amad Diallo’s attitude and aptitude after Manchester United ended their 380-day wait for a European victory against PAOK.
Erik ten Hag’s successor Ruben Amorim watched from afar as the Red Devils kicked on from draws in their first three Europa League matches and secured a first continental victory since last October.
United’s new head coach could not have failed to be impressed by winger Diallo, who shone on his first start in five weeks and scored both goals in a 2-0 victory against the Greek champions.
The 22-year-old brilliantly steered home a header early in the second half against PAOK, then settled nerves at Old Trafford by winning possession and continuing to curl home in fantastic fashion.
“I think the second goal had everything in it that for me is Amad Diallo,” Van Nistelrooy said after his penultimate match in charge.
“He fought to take the ball off the PAOK defender and then he pushed through to get the shot, and in the end he had the quality to bend it around the goalkeeper. That sums him up.”
Asked if starting recent matches on the bench had given Diallo extra motivation, Van Nistelrooy said: “Apparently so because I think he was excellent.
“In the first half he was our best player. Already he looked sharp, did well.
“The second half he decided the game for us with two important goals, so he did excellent.”
Diallo has had his highs and lows since joining United from Atalanta in January 2021, with the winger’s mentality impressing Van Nistelrooy.
“He’s a great character, he’s a hard worker,” the Dutchman said.
“He shows that in every training session, that attitude, and also extra work. Every day after training he comes to me and he wants to do extra finishing, extra crossing, extra one v ones.
“‘How can I improve my shot?’ ‘How can I improve my heading?, etc, etc, etc.
“He’s constantly focused on learning, getting better, living very professional, in a professional way, so he’s very motivated to get the maximum out of his career.
“After so many games he didn’t start, he had a great performance today, so I was very pleased for him.”
Diallo was the star man and limped off late in the second half to a standing ovation, being replaced by Mason Mount.
“He had to come off unfortunately,” Van Nistelrooy said. “He’s being assessed now.
“Of course I hope that he will be available for Sunday, but we have to wait and see.”
