Manchester United beat PAOK 2-0 in the Europa League on Thursday night, courtesy of a brace from Amad Diallo, who was handed a rare start.
The Ivorian winger says a training ground regime was behind his stunning second goal for United against the Greek champions.
Although the first half was not one to remember for United fans, Amad was United’s most threatening player throughout the game. He had PAOK on the ropes and dealt two crucial blows in the second half.
Amad scored a brilliant back-post header shortly after the interval and added a late second from outside the box.
There was an element of luck about the second as it took a deflection, but Amad is not going to complain about that after guiding United to victory in Europe. Their first of the season after drawing their previous three matches in the Europa League.
The 22-year-old has revealed he had earned his own luck by working so hard to win the ball back in the first place.
“It came from work we did in the training. we have to press the opposing team,” he told TNT Sports of his second goal.
“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.”
Amad Diallo is all smiles after scoring a brace for Manchester United against PAOK
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Amad Diallo impresses Ruud van NistelrooyPhoto by Naomi Baker/Getty ImagesVan Nistelrooy, who put faith in Amad tonight, was full of praise after the winger repaid his trust. He said: “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.”
Amad needs to keep taking his opportunities when they come because that is the only way he can work his way into the team. In doing so, he will keep Antony further down the pecking order.
Let us know in the comments section if you think Amad should start against Leicester City on Sunday.