Ruud Van Nistelrooy slams Man United stars for FOUR first-half errors before Amad Diallo heroics

Ruud van Nistelrooy has slammed his Manchester United players for four first-half errors before Amad Diallo’s heroics against PAOK.

Manchester United secured their first Europa League win of the season, defeating PAOK 2-0 at Old Trafford, with both goals coming from Amad Diallo on Thursday evening.

The first half was largely uneventful, with Alejandro Garnacho, Casemiro, and Rasmus Højlund each managing half-chances but failing to convert.

Read More: Ruud van Nistelrooy provides major hint at Ruben Amorim tactical decision after Man Utd 2-0 PAOK

It was Diallo who sparked the game to life in the second half. The winger broke the deadlock with a brilliantly timed looping header from a pinpoint Bruno Fernandes cross, putting United in front.

Amad wasn’t done yet. Fifteen minutes later, he showcased his individual brilliance, outmuscling Abdul Baba to win possession in the attacking third. He then cut inside onto his left foot and unleashed a superb curling strike past Dominik Kotarski, securing the victory for United.

Ruud slams four mistakes

Although much talk surrounds Amad’s brilliance in the second half, interim boss Ruud van Nistelrooy was asked how he assessed his side’s overall performance, considering hat the first half was a sub-par display.

Van Nistelrooy explained that although he feels his defence did well to stifle out any big chances for PAOK, there were four areas in the first half that his players make mistakes with.

“First half wasn’t good, that’s clear, a very good point,” Van Nistelrooy explained during his post-match press conference. “I think we created hardly anything and PAOK neither, they didn’t create a lot, so in that sense, we were okay. But we didn’t get going.

“I think our possession wasn’t good enough. We made many tactical mistakes, our shape wasn’t good, it was, at times, not low enough and, every time, in that shape that we wanted to play.

“Second half, we were a lot better. We persisted in finding Casemiro and [Manuel] Ugarte in front of the defence, or Amad and Bruno [Fernandes] in the No.10 positions and that’s why we started playing better and creating more chances and getting the better of the game, playing in their half more. And as you said, Amad made the difference there with two good goals.”

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