Manchester United will be eager to get their first win of the 2024/25 UEFA Europa League when they host PAOK at Old Trafford on Thursday.
The 2024/25 UEFA Europa League resumes this midweek with Matchday 4 as the table starts taking shape. Manchester United vs PAOK will be one of the games under the spotlight, with both teams desperate to get their first win in the competition.
Manchester United have endured a frustrating UEFA Europa League campaign thus far. The Red Devils could have won all three games thus far but ended each outing in a draw. The poor start to their European campaign has left the Premier League heavyweights down in 21st in the standings.
As for PAOK, they have managed only one point in three outings in the UEFA Europa League this season. The stalemate came in their most recent game, with the Greek outfit holding Viktoria Plzen to a 2-2 draw after going down to Galatasaray and FCSB in the first two matches. The run has left them 30th in the standings.
Meanwhile, Manchester United have embarked on a mini-unbeaten run, showing improvements under Ruud van Nistelrooy. The Red Devils beat Leicester City 5-2 in the EFL Cup last week before playing a 1-1 draw with Chelsea this past weekend. Thursday’s clash will be van Nistelrooy’s final outing in the dugout before Ruben Amorim takes charge as the new manager.
On the other hand, PAOK will likely spend the entire 2024/25 season in the Greek Super League title race. The reigning champions are currently second in the standings, a point behind Aris Thessaloniki after their first six outings.
Thursday’s match will be the first-ever game featuring Manchester United and PAOK. The Hard Tackle takes a closer look at the encounter ahead of the maiden meeting between the two sides.
Team News & Tactics
Manchester United
Ruud van Nistelrooy has greeted positive updates on the team news front ahead of his side’s latest fixture. The Manchester United interim manager will be bereft of the services of five first-team players vs PAOK on Thursday.
Luke Shaw and Harry Maguire are the most notable absentees, with the English duo recovering from their calf injuries. Tyrell Malacia (knee), Kobbie Mainoo (hamstring), and Antony (ankle) are the other absentees.
However, there is some good news, with Mason Mount and Leny Yoro resuming training this week, although the duo will likely return after the international break. Meanwhile, van Nistelrooy is sweating over the fitness of Christian Eriksen, who has missed the last two games due to a knock.
Andre Onana will take his spot between the sticks, with Manchester United lining up in a 4-2-3-1 formation in front of him vs PAOK on Thursday. The backline should feature Diogo Dalot, Matthijs de Ligt, Lisandro Martinez, and Noussair Mazraoui.
As for the midfield unit, there is no looking past Manuel Ugarte and Casemiro in the double pivot. Bruno Fernandes, available again after serving a suspension, will reprise the no. 10 role, with Marcus Rashford and Amad Diallo being the two wide attackers. Finally, Joshua Zirkzee will likely lead the line for Manchester United against PAOK instead of Rasmus Hojlund.
Probable Lineup (4-2-3-1): Onana; Dalot, de Ligt, Martinez, Mazraoui; Ugarte, Casemiro; Diallo, Fernandes, Rashford; Zirkzee
PAOK
Unlike his counterpart in the Manchester United dugout, Razvan Lucescu does not have many pressing issues to worry about ahead of the trip to Old Trafford. The PAOK manager will be without three first-team players on Thursday.
Giannis Konstantelias is recovering from a virus and will likely return after the international break. In addition, Thomas Murg (unspecified) and Antonis Tsiftsis (muscle injury) are in the treatment room. Meanwhile, Dejan Lovren, Mbwana Samatta and Vieirinha are ineligible as they are not in the Greek club’s Europa League squad.
Dominik Kotarski will take his spot between the sticks, with PAOK lining up in a 4-2-3-1 formation in front of him vs Manchester United on Thursday. The backline should feature Jonny Otto, Tomasz Kedziora, Omar Colley, and Abdul Rahman Baba.
As for the midfield unit, Mady Camara and Magomed Ozdoyev should pair up in the double pivot. Andrija Zivkovic should reprise the no. 10 role, with Kiril Despodov and Taison being the two wide attackers. Finally, Fedor Chalov will likely lead the line for PAOK against Manchester United.
Probable Lineup (4-2-3-1): Kotarski; Jonny, Kedziora, Colley, Rahman; Camara, Ozdoyev; Despodov, Zivkovic, Taison; Chalov
Key Stats
- Manchester United have won all six home games vs Greek clubs by an aggregate score of 20-1; Thursday’s match will be their first-ever meeting with PAOK.
- Having been unbeaten in their first four meetings with English sides (W1 D1 vs Arsenal, W1 D1 vs Tottenham), PAOK lost their most recent two such matches against Chelsea in the 2018/19 season.
- Manchester United are winless in six major European matches (D4 L2), their worst run since between 1980 and 1983 (also six). The Red Devils have never previously gone seven games without a win.
- PAOK have lost five of their last six away UEFA Europa League matches (D1) since a 4-1 win at Belarussian side BATE Borisov in October 2018.
- Lisandro Martinez has progressed the ball upfield 524 metres with ball carries in the UEFA Europa League this season, the most of any player.
Player to Watch
Joshua Zirkzee
A lack of goals has been the primary reason for Manchester United’s struggles in the last 15 months. While defensive frailties have also played a part in their inconsistent performances, the Red Devils have not found the back of the net enough to be comfortable in matches.
The English heavyweights have only eight goals in ten Premier League matches, with their only prolific outings coming in the EFL Cup. So, it is high time their strikers started stepping up, with Rasmus Hojlund and Joshua Zirkzee not doing enough thus far. The latter will get his opportunity on Thursday, and he will be eager to make an impression.
Prediction
Manchester United 2-1 PAOK
Manchester United have looked somewhat better under the tutelage of Ruud van Nistelrooy, with the team showing more directness in the final third. That has helped the Red Devils appear more threatening, although decision-making remains an issue.
However, the game vs PAOK will present enough opportunities to the Manchester United attackers, who can make merry if they are clinical. Meanwhile, the visitors might not trouble Andre Onana enough, with a rare European clean sheet on the cards. The Hard Tackle predicts a 2-0 win for Ruud van Nistelrooy and his charges.
