Manchester United continued the season’s revival tour on Thursday night by picking up win number one in the Europa League.
Three back-to-back draws began this season’s European campaign but Ruud van Nistelrooy has changed this in his first game as interim head coach in the tournament.
Manchester United were far from impressive, but it was the performance of Amad Diallo which won the game as the Ivorian scored twice.
Amad’s first was eerily similar to the headed goal he scored against AC Milan a few years ago as he controlled a looping header over the goalkeeper.
The second goal was a special one as he won the ball back – before dribbling toward goal and placing the ball into the far corner from range – rounding out an impressive performance for Amad.
This earned him the nickname of Amadinho from Kobbie Mainoo and will have delighted Van Nistelrooy as the Dutchman did something which Erik ten Hag did ever so difficult.
Ruud van Nistelrooy breaks 11 game Erik ten Hag curse
One of the most damning records for Ten Hag was how terrible he had been at coaching his United side to victory in European competition.
In the past two seasons, Ten Hag managed one win in 11 Champions League and Europa League fixtures – this being a slim 1-0 win over Copenhagen at Old Trafford.
| Date | Venue | Opponent | Result |
| 13/4/23 | H | Sevilla | 2-2 (D) |
| 20/4/23 | A | Sevilla | 0-3 (L) |
| 20/09/23 | A | Bayern Munich | 4-3 (L) |
| 03/10/23 | H | Galatasaray | 2-3 (L) |
| 24/10/23 | H | Copenhagen | 1-0 (W) |
| 08/11/23 | A | Copenhagen | 4-3 (L) |
| 29/11/23 | A | Galatasaray | 3-3 (D) |
| 12/12/23 | H | Bayern Munich | 0-1 (L) |
| 25/09/24 | H | Twente | 1-1 (D) |
| 03/10/24 | A | Porto | 3-3 (D) |
| 24/10/24 | A | Fenerbahce | 1-1 (D) |
| 07/11/24 | H | PAOK | 2-0 (W) |
This bad run of form in Europe was a frustrating one, with United often taking the lead only to throw it away by lack of concentration or going too defensive and making it easy for opponents.
Van Nistelrooy however has now broken this run of one win in 11 – including the 3-0 Europa League 2022/23 loss to Sevilla, and the preceding 2-2 draw, by guiding United to a 2-0 win
This result is more important than just breaking Ten Hag’s curse and also saw the Red Devils shoot up the Europa League table from 21st to 15th.
Ruben Amorim will be delighted with Manchester United win
Despite not officially taking charge just yet, Ruben Amorim will have been watching his new team perform last night and he will have been able to take some positives.
Amad’s performance will have delighted Amorim – as will the display from Casemiro who impressed MUTV pundits.
Amorim will also have been encouraged by how Victor Lindelof played, however, the most important thing which Amorim will be happy with is the 2-0 victory for United.
A loss here would have put Manchester United’s Europa League campaign beyond salvaging – so Amorim owes Van Nistelrooy a thank you as now the Red Devils are well placed to go on and progress through the tournament.
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