Amad Diallo caught the eye of Marcus Rashford after the Manchester United star sent out a heartfelt message following the Europa League win over PAOK.
Manchester United picked up their first victory in Europe this season under interim manager Ruud van Nistelrooy, who temporarily replaced Erik ten Hag at the club.
Erik ten Hag led the Red Devils to three draws in their opening three Europa League matches before the Dutchman was axed from Old Trafford last week.
United hosted Greek side PAOK at Old Trafford on Thursday evening and Amad Diallo produced a show-stealing performance on the night at Old Trafford.
Diallo scored United’s opener in the 50th minute before the 22-year-old Ivorian completed his brace in the 77th minute and sealed all three points for his side.
Diallo’s message and Rashford’s reaction
Manchester United are currently 15th in the Europa League table, which was introduced this season, after their 2-0 win over PAOK at Old Trafford.
The PAOK clash was Ruud van Nistelrooy’s penultimate match in charge of the Red Devils ahead of Ruben Amorim’s impending arrival from Sporting CP.
Van Nistelrooy, who was an assistant manager to former United boss Erik ten Hag, will lead the club against Leicester City in the Premier League on Sunday.
The 48-year-old United legend’s interim spell will end after the start of the November international break, with Ruben Amorim arriving on 11th November.
Amad Diallo took to Instagram and shared an emotionally charged message after his stunning brace against the defending Greek Super League champions.
“It’s Always GOD,” he simply wrote, adding a finger pointing up emoji with his message.
Marcus Rashford, who came off the bench in the second half for the PAOK match, wasted no time responding to Diallo’s message by leaving a heart emoji on the post.
Van Nistelrooy reacts to Amad’s performance
United agreed to pay the £9.25m release clause in Ruben Amorim’s Sporting CP contract amid Van Nistelrooy’s interim managerial spell at the Red Devils.
Amorim, who has been praised for his work at Sporting CP, has signed a contract until June 2027 and Van Nistelrooy’s long-term future at United remains uncertain.
Speaking after the Europa League win, Van Nistelrooy praised the impact Diallo had against PAOK and admitted the Ivory Coast international made the “difference.”
“First half wasn’t good, that’s clear, a very good point,” he said at his post-match conference, as per Manchester United’s official website.
“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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