Manchester United 2-0 PAOK: Player Ratings and Match Analysis

Manchester United earned a well-deserved 2-0 win over Greek side PAOK FC in the Europa League, showing both their defensive resilience and attacking potential. Here’s a rundown of the player performances in the match.

Goalkeeper

Andre Onana – 7
Onana put in a solid performance, keeping PAOK at bay with some timely saves that helped secure the clean sheet. His distribution was a particular highlight; a few of his long balls to the forward players were perfectly placed and helped kick-start several United attacks. Onana’s confidence in dealing with crosses and PAOK’s occasional surges gave United’s backline the security they needed.

Defenders

Noussair Mazraoui – 8
Mazraoui has been impressive lately, and this match was no exception. Shifting back to his preferred right side, he looked comfortable both in attack and defense. Mazraoui linked up well with Amad Diallo on the flank, combining effectively to stretch PAOK’s defense. His relentless work rate and ability to track back and cover defensive duties made him an unsung hero of this match.

Victor Lindelof – 6
It was a quietly effective game for Lindelof. He didn’t stand out, but he avoided mistakes and kept his positioning sound. Lindelof’s composure at the back allowed United to maintain control without many panicky clearances or rushed decisions. His partnership with Evans was steady, if unspectacular.

Jonny Evans – 6
Evans mirrored Lindelof in his performance. While he didn’t have a standout game, he did his job competently, making a few interceptions and distributing the ball cleanly from the back. His experience showed in moments where PAOK tried to break through, as he read the game well and kept things calm at the back.

Diogo Dalot – 4
Dalot had a rough game on the left side. His link-up play with Alejandro Garnacho was inconsistent, which limited United’s options on that wing. An early speculative header led to a shot on target for PAOK, and Dalot seemed hesitant on several occasions. Playing on the left rather than his natural right side appeared to hinder his usual attacking flair.

Midfielders

Manuel Ugarte – 5
Ugarte was more effective off the ball than in possession. He tried to drop deep and collect the ball to transition into attack, but his passing was often predictable, and he didn’t add much creativity to United’s build-up play. However, he worked hard defensively and provided some cover for Casemiro when the latter ventured forward.

Casemiro – 6
Casemiro looked comfortable and solid throughout the match. With more freedom under manager Ruud van Nistelrooy, he managed to participate in some attacking movements. His defensive stability was invaluable, and he occasionally pushed forward to support Bruno Fernandes and the attacking line, though he didn’t create any standout chances.

Bruno Fernandes – 5
It was an underwhelming night for Fernandes. His corner kicks often failed to clear the first defender, limiting United’s set-piece threat. Though he registered an assist for the opener, Fernandes didn’t influence the game as much as he normally does. He struggled to find his rhythm and didn’t have his usual impact in the attacking third.

Forwards

Amad Diallo – 9
Amad was by far the standout performer in this game. He continually pressed PAOK’s defense, taking on defenders and creating openings. His energy and skill brought a spark to United’s attack. He scored the opener with a well-placed header and followed it up with a brilliant curled finish, doubling the advantage. Amad even came close to winning a penalty after being fouled in the box. His performance was a reminder of his potential and importance to United’s attack.

Alejandro Garnacho – 4
Garnacho struggled on the left, and his confidence in the final third appeared lacking. He failed to make the most of several attacking moves, often hesitating and slowing down the play. After a subdued performance against Chelsea last weekend, he was expected to bounce back, but he was largely ineffective.

Rasmus Hojlund – 3
It was a tough outing for Hojlund, who barely had any impact on the game. He struggled to involve himself in United’s build-up and managed only a single shot, which was weak and deflected. Hojlund will be hoping for a stronger performance in future matches to establish his role in the attack.

Substitutes

Marcus Rashford – 6
Rashford looked lively after coming on and almost capped his appearance with a goal, narrowly missing a chance late in the game. His energy was refreshing, and he looked eager to make an impact. Rashford should be ready for a stronger showing in the next fixture.

Lisandro Martinez – 6
Martinez played a key role in stabilizing United’s defense after replacing Dalot, slotting in at left-back. His defensive presence and composure helped United see out the game comfortably.

Christian Eriksen – 5
Eriksen brought a bit more control to United’s midfield when he came on. Though he didn’t create any clear-cut chances, his composure helped maintain possession and control.

Mason Mount – 5
Mount had a brief cameo, making his return from injury. He had little time to make an impact, but it was encouraging for United fans to see him back on the pitch.

Joshua Zirkzee – 5
Zirkzee came on in added time and didn’t have a chance to impact the game. However, his presence suggests that United may use him more as a rotational option in future matches.

In summary, United produced a mixed performance but managed to secure a comfortable victory with strong displays from key players like Amad Diallo and Noussair Mazraoui. The defense was mostly solid, but some players on the left side struggled, leaving room for improvement as they head into their next game.