You know you’ve made an impression when even Paul Scholes – the most frowny-faced of the Manchester United legends – is praising your performance.
And after Ruud van Nistelrooy’s team edged past PAOK at Old Trafford to finally get a win on the board in the revamped Europa League, there were three players in particular who put a spring in Scholes’ step and threatened to put a smile on his hangdog expression.
Amad Diallo was, of course, the most obvious recipient of any post-match praise.
Bizarrely removed from the starting XI by Erik ten Hag, the Manchester United supporters have been unified in hope the Dutchman’s departure would see a return to the team sheet for the £19 million fan favourite.
And if Amad was a thirst-quenching river in a dessert during a drab opening 45 minutes at Old Trafford, the former Sunderland loanee needed only a few moments to finally break PAOK’s resistance after the interval.
The looping header which gave Man United a long-awaited lead – his first goal since August at Brighton – was eerily reminiscent of the effort which kick-started his Red Devils career in this very same competition against AC Milan in the Ole Gunnar Solskjaer era.
Paul Scholes lauds Manchester United matchwinner Amad Diallo
At a pocket-sized 5ft 8ins, Amad is not exactly renowned for his heading. But maybe he should be.
The Ivorian’s second of the night was more what casual observers would have expected to see from a player of his talents. Showing admirable fight to wrestle a PAOK defender off the ball, Amad then drove at the goal before curling a deflected effort into the far corner.
“He was excellent,” Scholes tells TNT Sport, feeling that Amad has now secured a starting berth against Leicester City on Sunday. “I think we said at half-time, he definitely looked the sharpest player on the pitch, and he went on to prove that in the second-half.
“He has been a little in and out this season but there is competition for places. Now, he has come in and he’s made a real stake for that position. And he probably deserves to play at the weekend now after that.”
Amad, of course, will hog the headlines on Friday morning.
As one of the finest midfielders in Manchester United’s history, though, Scholes always keeps a keen eye on those following in his footsteps in the Red Devils engine room.
And he was delighted to see old man Casemiro roll back the years with a performance of both exuberance and experience; tackles, crosses, blocks and dummies aplenty in a truly all-action display on week on since Casemiro scored an ‘unbelievable’ brace in the EFL Cup.
Scholes sees positives of Casemiro and Manuel Ugarte partnership
Given freedom to dart forward by the diligent Manuel Ugarte, Casemiro has excelled as a roving number eight during Van Nistelrooy’s interim spell.
“I thought Casemiro was really good in there tonight,” Scholes adds. “Ugarte and Casemiro looks excellent. Probably one of the best games Casemiro has had in a United shirt. He played the position really well, much more controlled, defensively again with experience it felt comfortable.
“Casemiro and Ugarte, that could be the start of something. I think that gives Bruno more up the top end of the pitch.
“I didn’t really see PAOK scoring. Man United needed to be clinical and fortunately Amad was.”
After successive draws against FC Twente, Porto and Fenerbahce, this was Man United’s first Europa win at the fourth attempt in 2024/25.
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