Man Utd Player Ratings: PAOK Game, Diallo Saves the Day
Man Utd's Europa League clash with PAOK was a rollercoaster of emotions, with the Red Devils ultimately escaping with a narrow 2-1 victory. While the performance was far from convincing, Amad Diallo's late cameo stole the show, saving the day with a stunning goal.
The Starting Lineup:
- David De Gea: A comfortable evening for the Spaniard, with little to do in the way of saves. 7/10
- Aaron Wan-Bissaka: Solid defensively but offered little going forward. 6/10
- Victor Lindelof: An assured performance, showcasing his trademark composure. 7/10
- Harry Maguire: A bit shaky at times but recovered well to put in a decent shift. 6/10
- Luke Shaw: Looked lively early on but faded as the game progressed. 6/10
- Fred: A tireless performance, battling hard in midfield. 7/10
- Scott McTominay: Struggled to influence the game offensively, but provided his usual workhorse effort. 6/10
- Bruno Fernandes: A frustrating night for the playmaker, lacking his usual spark. 5/10
- Mason Greenwood: Showed some flashes of brilliance but lacked the cutting edge in the final third. 6/10
- Anthony Martial: A quiet performance, failing to make much impact. 5/10
- Edinson Cavani: A lone warrior up top, working tirelessly to find an opening. 6/10
The Substitutes:
- Amad Diallo: Game-changer! Scored a wonder goal within minutes of coming on, injecting much-needed energy and creativity into the attack. 9/10
- Donny van de Beek: Came on late and showed some positive signs in limited minutes. 6/10
- Marcus Rashford: Didn't have enough time to make an impact. N/A
The Verdict:
It was a classic "two-step forward, one step back" kind of game. Man Utd looked shaky at times, lacking the urgency and confidence that fans have come to expect. However, the team dug deep and ultimately found a way to win, thanks to a moment of magic from Diallo. The young Ivorian is proving to be a real game-changer, and his arrival has given Ole Gunnar Solskjaer a valuable weapon to unleash in the latter stages of matches.
Looking Ahead:
The Red Devils have a crucial Premier League clash against Manchester City looming large. They'll need to find a way to replicate Diallo's spark throughout the entire match if they want to stand any chance of getting a result against their fierce rivals. With a bit of luck and a lot more of that Diallo magic, Man Utd might just pull off a big upset.