Ruud van Nistelrooy says Man Utd squad were stunned with what he told them before kick-off

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Manchester United interim boss Ruud van Nistelrooy led the team to their first victory in Europe this season.

Manchester United remain unbeaten in the Europa League this season. That’s one way to spin a challenging campaign in the competition.

United drew the first three fixtures against Twente, Porto and Fenerbahce, before beating PAOK.

It’s not an awful run, yet the context of the three opening draws were set against a troubled European record under Erik ten Hag.

The Fenerbahce draw meant Manchester United had only won one of the last 11 European games under Erik ten Hag, a woeful run dating back to the 2-2 home draw with Sevilla in early 2023.

• READ: Who is Ruud van Nistelrooy? Inside the life of Man Utd legend, including his PSV management and coaching career

Van Nistelrooy talks before kick-off

Manchester United sacked Erik ten Hag shortly after the Fenerbahce game, following a Premier League defeat.

This gave interim boss Ruud van Nistelrooy the chance to lead United into the Europa League game with PAOK, a game which had become a must-win.

Manchester United won the game 2-0 with a brace from Amad Diallo, who was busy proving his own point after a lack of regular playing time.

Van Nistelrooy spoke after kick-off, and said that United’s poor European run had become a topic of conversation within the dressing room before kick-off.

He said that United’s players could not believe how long it had been since the last victory in Europe on home turf.

Van Nistelrooy was quoted via TNT Sport: “I said to the lads before the game that it was a year ago since the last European win at Old Trafford.

“We couldn’t believe. It was time to turn it around, build and change. It’s a big period at the club.”

United spiked that unhappy record, and will be looking to back it up under Ruben Amorim at home to Bodo/Glimt later in the month, in the new boss’ first game at Old Trafford.

United’s previous home European win

Manchester United’s last European win came in the Champions League at home to Copenhagen last season, a 1-0 victory thanks to a Harry Maguire header.

United almost blew it, reliant on Andre Onana saving a stoppage time penalty.

This was the only Champions League game United won at home last season, losing to both Galatasaray and Bayern Munich.

The Copenhagen win was the one win in Ten Hag’s previous 11 European matches, taking place on October 23, 2023, more than a full year ago.

Prior to this, United’s last home European win was a 4-1 victory over Real Betis, a match so long ago, Wout Weghorst was on the scoresheet.