Manchester

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Joe Smith from the Stretford Paddock says Ruud van Nistelrooy has brought stability to Manchester United, which will allow Ruben Amorim to "almost come in to a clean slate."

"The performances are not that much different but there is that five per cent difference as we are them seeing score goals when they weren't under Erik ten Hag," Smith told BBC Radio 5 Live Breakfast. "Van Nistelrooy has done a great job at steadying the ship and making us look like a team again.

"There are some decent players but our forward line, other than Marcus Rashford, have never scored more than 20 goals in a season which is a bit of a worry.

"Rasmus Hojlund has got a lot going for him, he is quick, strong and a good finisher, yet he will have games where he is not involved at all. Maybe that is because Alejandro Garnacho and Rashford are not giving him the right balls, but the top strikers do always find a way to get the ball in the back of the net.

"He needs a bit of confidence because he is only young. Amorim has worked really well with Viktor Gyokeres and they are very similar, so hopefully he can start to get the best out of Hojlund."

Guess the former Manchester United player from their Premier League statistics at the club:

• Years at club: 2004-2008

• National team: France

• Position: Striker

• Appearances: 86

• Goals: 28

Answer will be revealed at 17:00 GMT

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We asked for your views on Manchester United's Europa League win over PAOK.

Here are some of your comments:

Adam: There was more of a hunger to get the victory. Still a bit sloppy at times and motivation dipped slightly, but that’s from two years of mismanagement. Ruud van Nistelrooy has done a fantastic job of rallying the troops, as seen against Leicester and tonight.

Tom: Flat and boring first half coupled with sloppy play and little or no penetration. Second period was more controlled with periods of flair and attacking knowhow, and of course Amad with his two wonderful goals. A special mention to Ruud van Nistelrooy for his passion for Man Utd and his relaxed, controlled input to the team.

Adam: Much better performance and the players are more hungry. We are still lacking a class striker to score goals and relying on the midfield far too much. Bit it was a great game from the captain. Good use of subs.

John: United are totally unable to string 10 passes together, which underpins the fact they are a group of individuals rather than a team. They are not that good in terms of their individual capabilities too. New manager has a mountain to climb.

Chris: I didn’t think it was a great display. United gave the ball away too easily for me and weren’t positive enough. Saying that, they won and it was much needed.

Simon Stone
Chief football news reporter

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Manchester United’s Europa League matchwinner Amad Diallo is keen to extend his stay at the club. His current deal expires in the summer, although United do have an option to extend that contract for an additional year.

The Ivorian said in the summer his aim was to remain at Old Trafford and clearly nothing has changed after his double against Greek champions PAOK gave United their first Europa League win over the season and their first victory in continental competition for 12 months.

"I’m happy to be here, happy to play for this club and yes, I want to stay here for a long time and make history here," Amad said.

Talks have been taking place over an extension with an expectation Amad will sign a new deal that will run to 2027.

His efforts were much needed against PAOK and transformed what interim manager Ruud van Nistelrooy described as a disappointing first-half performance into a winning one in the second.

For Amad, it was the perfect way to answer a frustrating month where he has failed to start a game.

"I always do my best, even when I am not starting,” he said. “Everyone wants to play but I just try to stay focused. I was (United) player of the month in August but now I have moved on and am focused on the future."

The impending arrival of Ruben Amorim from Sporting offers Amad a fresh chance to impress, even if United’s new head coach does not tend to use orthodox wide players.

Amad is not on his own in being unclear what role will be demanded of him by Amorim. But he is looking forward to the challenge.

"I am excited to have him in this team and I can’t wait to work with him," he said.

Manchester United will rival Juventus, Liverpool and Arsenal for 24-year-old Lille striker Jonathan David. (Corriere dello Sport - in Italian), external

United are also set to reignite their interest in £70m-rated Everton centre-back Jarrad Branthwaite, with the Merseyside club unable to afford a new contract for the 22-year-old England international. (Mail - subscription required), external

Finally, United are also targeting 17-year-old Sporting forward Geovany Quenda, who is also on the radar of Manchester City and Liverpool. Premier League rivals Arsenal have held talks with Quenda's agents. (Teamtalk), external

Want more transfer stories? Read Friday's full gossip column

Polish striker Robert Lewandowski, 36, is prepared to take a pay cut to stay longer at Barcelona and his impressive form has seen the Catalan club cool any interest in Manchester City's 24-year-old Norway forward Erling Haaland. (Sport - in Spanish), external

AC Milan are ready to double the wages of Netherlands midfielder Tijjani Reijnders, 26, to ward off interest from Manchester City and Tottenham (Calciomercato - in Italian), external

Meanwhile, City are keeping an eye on Inter Milan midfielder Hakan Calhanoglu, 30, although Bayern Munich are in pole position to sign the Turkey international. (Caughtoffside), external

Finally, Arsenal have held talks with the agents of Sporting forward Geovany Quenda, with the 17-year-old also a target for City, Manchester United and Liverpool. (Teamtalk), external

Want more transfer stories? Read Friday's full gossip column

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Former Manchester United coach Rene Meulensteen, speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live: "Looking at the game around the 65-to-70 minute mark, I thought to myself - why have United fallen back and giving PAOK all the space to play?

"But the goal from Diallo came at the right time, it does feel like there was a different feel, a different energy and a bit more freedom.

"There is still a lack of quality in the final third, but eventually they kept going and Diallo got the goal.

"It's almost as if you can start to enjoy watching Manchester United again.

"Ruud van Nistelrooy has used his time well to address the players.

"It was clear Ruben Amorim was coming in, but he has said, "I have four games with you guys and we need to fix those things".

"He has done a great job."

On goalscorer Amad Diallo: "Diallo was by far the best man.

"The first goal, brilliant header, a very clever header.

"But I was more impressed with the second goal. He made that goal with his tenacity, pressing to win the ball back and then to dribble inside and have a fantastic finish.

"For a player who has not started a lot of the games, he was magnificent."

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Manchester United interim manager Ruud van Nistelrooy, speaking to TNT Sports: "It was a pretty poor first half if I'm being nice. The second half way was better. That was clear."

On Amad Diallo: "He made a difference today, because of his goals but he was very sharp. Well done to him, good game. Positionally we weren't good in the first half. We were much better at that in the second half.

"He has been incredible in training, he always trains well and is asking me to do more."

On Rasmus Hojlund: "It didn't happen enough for him. In the second half we were better in positions but some of the crosses didn't come for him.

"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."

On one final game in charge on Sunday: "For me it was important to get results. I can only be happy with the performance that the players put in.

"I enjoy it but Sunday is another one and I'm so focused on doing that so I'm not thinking of what is next."

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Manchester United goalscorer Amad Diallo, speaking to TNT Sports: "It's been a long time since we won in Europe. Today we showed why we are one of the best teams. It was important to win today.

"It is important to score every time. This season I have been unlucky so I am happy to score two today. But the most important thing was to win.

"I like to celebrate with the fans and make people happy."

On winning the ball back for his second goal: "It came from work we did in the training. we have to press the opposing team."

On interim manager Ruud van Nistelrooy: "Since he has arrived at Manchester United he has been very important for everyone."

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No player has assisted more goals in Europa League history than Manchester United's Bruno Fernandes (16 - level with Borek Dockal).

In facts, since his European debut for Sporting in September 2017, the Portugal international has recorded more assists in major European competition than any other player (26).

Were you at the game or following from elsewhere?

Have your say on the match, external

Come back to this page on Friday for a selection of replies

Three Premier League clubs are in action as part of Thursday's schedule of games in the Europa League and Conference League.

Europa League

• Galatasaray v Tottenham (17:45)

• Manchester United v PAOK (20:00) - listen on BBC Radio 5 Live

Conference League

• Chelsea v Noah (20:00)

All kick-off times GMT

Follow all of the action and reaction

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We asked for one thing involving Manchester City that people are not talking about but should be.

Here are some of your comments:

Steve: Ederson! As a City season ticket holder, I love the guy but I would like to know how many times the first shot on target for the opposition has been scored. It seems to happen so often! Is it a lack of concentration on his part or just bad luck?

Andrew: Centre-backs need to sit slightly deeper, ie just inside opponent's half rather than edge of the D. Less easy for opponents to fast break. Induces low block out by 15-20m hence more space for City to play crisp passes and operate between the lines. Love Dias but you really want Foden, Gundogan and De Bruyne taking shots from just outside the box.

Mat: City fans like myself who have supported the club since the early 90s don't see this as a "freefall" which has been mentioned in the media. We've just lost a few games and have injuries to key players ie Rodri. Pep will sort it out. We've been through much worse periods in our time. This is just a blip.

Dave: The loss of Rodri is huge. City will adapt and recover. We have done it before and we will do it again.

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Ruud van Nistelrooy says a "sense of excitement" is building at Manchester United around the arrival of Ruben Amorim, but it is his "continued privilege" to take charge of the side.

The interim boss has two more games at the helm - against PAOK in the Europa League and Leicester in the Premier League - before incoming head coach Amorim begins his new role on 11 November.

United have won once and drawn once since Van Nistelrooy stepped up from his position as assistant coach following Erik ten Hag's sacking, but there are question marks over his future at Old Trafford after this weekend.

"There is a sense of excitement around the club as we prepare to welcome Ruben Amorim next week," Van Nistelrooy said in the matchday programme for Thursday's game.

"Until then it will be my continued privilege to manage the team. In my two games so far I have felt a lot of love from the stands. I know how much energy this gives me and the players, so we need to keep this connection going.

"If we all keep pulling together and reaching for our highest levels in every game, we will move in the right direction - I am certain of that."

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England interim manager Lee Carsley expects Manchester City forward Jack Grealish to be available for the upcoming Nations League games against Greece and Republic of Ireland.

Grealish has not played for City since 20 October because of a groin injury.

"We are fully in contact with the medical staff and we expect Jack to be fit," said Carsley. "He's trained in the last couple of days so he'll come in, we'll assess him and make sure he's ready to play.

"I think he's an important player not just for this camp but for the future. He's a player who is great to coach and he's an infectious character throughout the changing room, on and off the pitch.

"You can see he enjoys playing for England so he's a player we wanted to give as long as we could."