Manchester United XI vs PAOK: Ruud van Nistelrooy listens to fans as three changes expected

Ruud van Nistelrooy is expected to make three changes as Manchester United face PAOK in the fourth round of the Europa League.

Manchester United are aiming to secure their first Europa League win of the 2024/25 season as Ruud van Nistelrooy’s side gets ready to face PAOK on Thursday night.

So far, United’s campaign has been marked by frustrating draws – 1-1 with FC Twente, 3-3 with FC Porto, and 1-1 with Fenerbahce – which see them currently in 21st place, four points adrift of the top eight, where automatic qualification to the knockout rounds awaits.

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Despite scoring five goals, United’s defensive struggles have allowed leads to slip away in each game, leading to questions about the team’s defensive structure and discipline.

With five matches still to play and their toughest challenges likely behind them, United have a real chance to reset. If they can solidify their backline and keep up their attacking output, a climb up the standings and a spot in the knockout stages are still within reach.

Three changes expected

Van Nistelrooy is expected to make three changes to his side that faced Chelsea, although one of these will not be André Onana, who is expected to keep his place in goal.

As for the defence, the Dutchman will no doubt be looking to rest some key players, which may result in both Noussair Mazraoui and Matthijs de Ligt, who have been fit this season but have struggled with injury issues in the past, being rested from the XI.

They could be replaced in the middle of defence by Jonny Evans and Victor Lindelöf. Diogo Dalot would move to right-back, and Lisandro Martínez as an auxiliary left-back, where he has excelled in recent weeks.

Due to a lack of options in midfield, the three that started against Chelsea may well remain in place for a third game in a row. Manuel Ugarte and Casemiro look set to continue in midfield behind club Captain Bruno Fernandes.

Kobbie Mainoo, Toby Collyer, and Dan Gore remain out. While Mason Mount and Christian Eriksen are back in the squad, they may not be match-fit to start.

United fans may see their pleas answered in attack as Amad Diallo replaces Alejandro Garnacho in the starting XI.

Garnacho has been under fire following a sub-par performance against Chelsea, and Amad could replace him as the starting winger after the Argentina international played the full 90 minutes on the weekend, while Marcus Rashford played just over 70 minutes.

Therefore, it’s more likely that the English winger will start on the left with Amad on the right, and following Van Nistelrooy’s kind words on Wedneday afternoon, Ramsus Højlund may keep his place up front.

Man United expected XI

Onana, Dalot, Evans, Lindelöf, Martínez, Ugarte, Casemiro, Fernandes, Amad, Højlund, Rashford.

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