Hunt for the First Win from Ruud van Nistelrooy’s Farewell Gift

Jakarta, Beritasatu.com – Manchester United and PAOK have the ambition to achieve their first win in the 2024/2025 Europa League, Thursday (7/11/2024) evening local time or Friday (8/11/2024) early morning WIB. The two will meet for the first time in a match which will be held at MU’s headquarters, Old Trafford.

Manchester United have had a disappointing Europa League so far. The team nicknamed The Red Devils actually had the opportunity to win in the previous three matches, but all ended in a draw. This bad start put them in 21st position in the league standings.

Meanwhile, PAOK has only collected one point from three Europa League matches this season. The draw was achieved in the last match against Viktoria Plzen with a score of 2-2, after previously losing to Galatasaray and FCSB. This makes them perched in 30th position.

On the other hand, Manchester United is currently undergoing a positive trend with better performance under caretaker Ruud van Nistelrooy. MU managed to beat Leicester City 5-2 in the English League Cup last week before drawing 1-1 against Chelsea last weekend. The match against PAOK was also the last match for van Nistelrooy before Ruben Amorim officially led the team.

In contrast to United who are stumbling in the local league, PAOK is actually in the race for the Greek Super League title for the 2024/2025 season. The defending champions are in second place in the standings, one point behind Aris Thessaloniki after the first six matches.

In the match against PAOK, Ruud van Nistelrooy, Manchester United had to lose five main players for the match against PAOK. Luke Shaw and Harry Maguire are confirmed to be absent because they are still recovering from a calf injury. Tyrell Malacia (knee), Kobbie Mainoo (hamstring) and Antony (ankle) are also unavailable.

On the positive side, Mason Mount and Leny Yoro returned to training this week, although it is likely that both will only start after the international break. Apart from that, van Nistelrooy is still waiting for news regarding the condition of Christian Eriksen, who missed the last two matches due to a minor injury.

Andre Onana will return to fill the goalkeeper position, with Manchester United predicted to use a 4-2-3-1 formation against PAOK. The back line will likely consist of Diogo Dalot, Matthijs de Ligt, Lisandro Martinez and Noussair Mazraoui.

MU’s midfield is strengthened by Manuel Ugarte and Casemiro who are the focus in the defensive midfielder position. Bruno Fernandes, who returns after suspension, will fill the number 10 position, accompanied by Marcus Rashford and Amad Diallo as wing attackers. Joshua Zirkzee will most likely lead the attack line replacing Rasmus Hojlund.

Meanwhile, PAOK coach Razvan Lucescu does not have many injury problems ahead of the trip to Old Trafford. PAOK will lose three players, namely Giannis Konstantelias, who may only return after the international break, as well as Thomas Murg and Antonis Tsiftsis (muscle injury) who are absent.

Dominik Kotarski will fill the goalkeeper position, with PAOK predicted to use a 4-2-3-1 formation against Manchester United. The back line will likely be strengthened by Jonny Otto, Tomasz Kedziora, Omar Colley and Abdul Rahman Baba.

Mady Camara and Magomed Ozdoyev will act as defensive midfielders, with Andrija Zivkovic filling the number 10 position, and Kiril Despodov and Taison as wing attackers. Fedor Chalov is predicted to lead PAOK’s front line.

Even though they have never met PAOK, Manchester United have won six home matches against Greek clubs by scoring 20 goals and conceding only once. PAOK was unbeaten in their first four meetings against English teams (winning and drawing once against Arsenal and Tottenham), but lost their last two matches against Chelsea in the 2018/2019 season.

Manchester United showed improvement under Ruud van Nistelrooy, with the team being more aggressive in the final third of the pitch. This makes them more threatening, and potentially their first European win of the season.

Estimated line-up:
Manchester United (4-2-3-1): Onana; Dalot, de Ligt, Martinez, Mazraoui; Ugarte, Casemiro; Diallo, Fernandes, Rashford; Zirkzee

PAOK (4-2-3-1): Kotarski; Jonny, Kedziora, Colley, Rahman; Camara, Ozdoyev; Despodov, Zivkovic, Taison; Chalov.