Amad Diallo reveals secret Ruud van Nistelrooy advice that was key for second goal vs PAOK

Amad Diallo has explained the secret advice Ruud van Nistelrooy gave him as he scored a Manchester United brace in the Europa League against PAOK.

Manchester United recorded their first Europa League win of the season as two goals from Amad Diallo saw them record a 2-0 victory over PAOK on Thursday evening.

The first half at Old Trafford was rather dull, with Alejandro Garnacho, Casemiro, and Rasmus Højlund all having half-chances they could not quite convert.

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However, in the second half, United’s No. 16 lit up the evening, scoring a brilliant looping header to bury a Bruno Fernandes cross to hand United a much-needed lead.

Then, 15 minutes later, the Ivorian international scored his second and best of the night as he wrestled Abdul Baba off the ball in the attacking third before cutting on his left foot and producing a curling effort beyond Dominik Kotarski to hand United their victory.

Speaking to TNT Sports after the game, Amad was asked if he could walk through his decision making ahead of his second goal.

The winger revealed that his choice to tackle and win the ball off Baba came as a result of Van Nistelrooy’s advice in training, who told him to make sure he was applying pressure on PAOK’s players.

“I think it’s the work we did in the training,” Amad explained. We have to press the opponent team.

“And yeah, I do my job. I pressed him, and I took the ball. And I think it was good for me to shoot, and I scored.”

When asked about Van Nistelrooy’s impact since joining United, Amad was full of praise for a man who has been “very important” at the club.

“Since he’s arrived in Manchester United, he’s been important for everyone,” the 22-year-old said.

“He’s very close to the players, and he’s always here to help the players, to talk with the players, and he’s very important for this team.”

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