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United were striving to avoid breaking a club record for the longest European win-less streak in their history, having not won in six games at the continental level since Harry Maguire’s solitary goal beat Copenhagen in the Champions League group stage over a year ago.
But two goals from the hugely impressive Amad Diallo in the second half meant the run wasn’t extended to seven, firing United up the standings and kickstarting the season at the perfect time.
It was clear from the start that United would be the dominant force and control the majority of possession, with PAOK satisfied to dig in defensively and break when possible. That approach actually yielded the first real chance of the night when Casemiro did just enough to block Mady Camara’s goal-bound strike in side the opening seven minutes.
The hosts thought they deserved a penalty as pressure built, with Amad surging to the touchline inside the box and upended by contact from former Chelsea left-back Baba Rahman. It wasn’t awarded in real time, but a VAR review didn’t change that ruling.
With just over half an hour gone, Baba foiled Amad again, managing to just get in front of the winger and turn a dangerous low cross from Alejandro Garnacho over the bar.
United went inside at the interval disappointed not to have properly tested visiting goalkeeper Dominik Kotarski, with Amad guilty of dummying a Bruno Fernandes cutback with no teammate behind him and when a shot was on with the final attack of the half. Audible groans came from the stands. Meanwhile Andre Onana had earlier needed to be on his toes in the closing stages to parry a speculative Camara effort over the bar after the ball sat up nicely for the PAOK man 20 yards out.
Whatever Van …
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