Manchester United’s 2-1 Europa League victory over PAOK, their first European win in over a year, was a hard-fought battle that left as many questions as it did celebrations. The win, largely thanks to Amad Diallo’s standout performance, highlighted an uneven display from the team, particularly in the attacking line, where Rasmus Hojlund struggled to make an impact. United managed to pull ahead through Amad’s two goals in the second half, yet the overall performance showed cracks, with Hojlund’s minimal involvement in play drawing significant scrutiny.
Amad Diallo provided a spark, opening the scoring with a second-half header from a Bruno Fernandes cross, and later doubled his tally with a deflected curling shot. His confidence and ability to seize scoring chances showcased his sharpness, a quality that stood in stark contrast to the rest of United’s forwards, who were largely ineffective. Hojlund, stationed centrally with Amad and Alejandro Garnacho on either side and Fernandes operating just behind, only managed ten touches in the first half and struggled to connect with teammates. His lack of involvement drew criticism from former United midfielder Paul Scholes, who expressed disappointment in Hojlund’s inability to break through PAOK’s defense.
Scholes noted that while United maintained control following Amad’s goal, Hojlund’s performance did not meet the standard expected of him. Scholes credited the midfield pairing of Casemiro and Manuel Ugarte for freeing up Fernandes creatively, yet he pointed out that Hojlund’s struggles stemmed from an underdeveloped connection with the team, particularly with Fernandes. On TNT Sports, Scholes suggested that Hojlund’s adaptation could improve under a coach who fully supports him, hinting that incoming manager Ruben Amorim may provide the young striker with the guidance and confidence he needs.
Interim coach Ruud van Nistelrooy echoed these concerns, emphasizing the importance of chemistry and timing in a forward’s success. He noted that while United’s positional play improved in the second half, they lacked precision in their crosses, often misaligning with Hojlund’s runs, which limited his scoring chances. Eventually, Hojlund was replaced by Joshua Zirkzee, another forward dealing with his own form challenges and who has not scored since the season opener against Fulham. At 21, Hojlund has been working to regain his form following a hamstring injury, and his two goals in 11 appearances reflect this ongoing adjustment period.
Despite his disappointing performance, Hojlund posted a heartfelt message to fans on Instagram, expressing gratitude for their support and congratulating Amad on his performance. His humble message acknowledged the fans’ unwavering chants and highlighted his determination to improve. With new manager Ruben Amorim set to take charge soon, Hojlund may find in him the support necessary to build better on-field chemistry and sharpen his contributions. United’s narrow win over PAOK underscored both the team’s resilience and the challenges still facing its young players, particularly Hojlund, who has shown promise but needs greater cohesion and service to fully realize his potential.
