Ruud van Nistelrooy sends a warning to Manchester United duo who start vs PAOK

Ruud van Nistelrooy has explained why he has chosen to start Casemiro and Manuel Ugarte for the third game in a row as Manchester United face PAOK in the Europa League.

Manchester United are aiming for their first win in the 2024/25 Europa League season as they prepare to take on PAOK this Thursday evening under Ruud van Nistelrooy‘s leadership.

United’s campaign has been frustratingly close. Three draws so far—a 1-1 with FC Twente, an intense 3-3 against FC Porto, and another 1-1 against Fenerbahce—have left them in 21st place. They’re four points shy of the top eight, the cutoff for automatic knockout qualification.

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Despite scoring five goals, defensive inconsistencies have seen United lose hold of crucial leads in each match, raising questions about their structure and discipline at the back.

Ruud van Nistelrooy has chosen to start Amad Diallo alongside Rasmus Højlund and Alejandro Garnacho in attack as the side sets out their plan of attack at Old Trafford, while Casemiro and Manuel Ugarte start in midfield for the third game in a row.

Speaking to TNT Sports, Van Nistelrooy addressed starting the South American duo again, explaining that he likes how they communicate but has warned them they must be smart about their pressing.

“Yeah, I like to go with them,” he explained on the pair when asked about them by former United midfielder Paul Scholes.

“They can communicate very well together. What’s important for them is that they look for the moment to press. I think we don’t have the midfield that you can go 90 minutes 1v1 all over the place, and long balls, second balls, coming back.

“So they are in control of the moments that we press. I think it’s for their types and their profiles it suits them. And they’re doing really well and we benefit from it, I think.”

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