Manchester United secured their first continental victory in over a year by defeating PAOK 2-0 in the Europa League on Thursday.
Two second-half goals from Amad Diallo sealed the victory at Old Trafford, bolstering United’s hopes of advancing in the competition, while Tottenham’s perfect start was halted with a 3-2 defeat in their visit to Galatasaray.
United’s last victory in Europe was against Copenhagen in the Champions League on October 24 of last year.
“We addressed that in the locker room, and it was time for a change, so we did it,” said United’s interim manager, Ruud van Nistelrooy.
Diallo’s header beat goalkeeper Dominik Kotarski in the 50th minute. The Ivorian later added a shot from outside the area that deflected off another player and nestled into the bottom corner in the 77th minute.
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This marks United’s second victory in three matches under Van Nistelrooy, who has one game left – against Leicester on Sunday – before handing the reins over to Ruben Amorim.
It remains unclear if there will be a place for the Dutchman after his interim tenure, but he is doing everything he can to ensure United is in the best possible position for Amorim’s arrival.
Erik ten Hag was dismissed last week following a dismal start to the season that left the team in 14th place in the Premier League and without a victory in the secondary continental competition, the Europa League.
Amorim was quickly hired to replace him, but it has been Van Nistelrooy who has filled the void while the Portuguese manager oversees some final matches with Sporting Lisbon.
He has achieved victories in both the EFL Cup and the Europa League, alongside a draw against Chelsea in the Premier League.
Osimhen’s Brace
Earlier, Victor Osimhen scored twice in an eight-minute span to help Galatasaray defeat Tottenham 3-2 in Turkey.
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Osimhen netted his first goal in Europe with the Turkish club after his transfer from Napoli.
He opened the scoring in the 31st minute with a low and precise shot into the right corner, putting the hosts ahead 2-1. Eight minutes later, the Nigerian forward added his second of the night, heading in a cross from the right by Dries Mertens.
This marked Tottenham’s first defeat in the competition after three victories, while Galatasaray remains unbeaten with three wins and a draw.
All matches of the day were preceded by a minute’s silence to honor the victims of the devastating floods in Spain.
In Istanbul, Yunus Akgün put Galatasaray ahead six minutes in after the Spurs failed to clear a free kick from Mertens. The midfielder volleyed from outside the area, beating keeper Fraser Forster.
Tottenham equalized in the 19th minute through Will Lankshear, in his second match with the London side, scoring from close range after a cross from Brennan Johnson.
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However, Lankshear was sent off with a second yellow card in the 60th minute.
Substitute Dominic Solanke brought Tottenham back again with a backheel flick in the 69th minute.
Lazio is the only team maintaining a perfect record with four wins after Pedro Rodríguez scored in stoppage time to secure a 2-1 victory over Porto.
Ajax had five different goalscorers in a 5-0 rout of Maccabi Tel Aviv, while three substitutes scored for Alkmaar in their 3-1 win over Fenerbahce, handing José Mourinho’s side their first stumble in the competition.
RFS from Latvia salvaged a 1-1 draw with Anderlecht thanks to a last-minute goal. The Belgian side dropped points for the first time.
Earlier, Eintracht Frankfurt won 1-0 against Slavia Prague thanks to Omar Marmoush’s goal in the second half, while Roma managed to draw 1-1 against Union Saint-Gilloise, yet another disappointing result after a 3-2 defeat to Hellas Verona in Serie A over the weekend.
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Rangers earned a 1-1 draw in their visit to Olympiacos, the Greek club that won the Conference League title last season.
Athletic Bilbao defeated Ludogorets 2-1 to remain unbeaten, with three wins and a draw. Qarabag surprised by overcoming Bodø/Glimt 3-1 to earn their first points.
Nice drew 2-2 with Twente, and both teams ended with ten men.
Conference League
Chelsea demolished Armenian club Noah 8-0, setting a record for the largest win in Conference League history.
Chelsea took a commanding 6-0 lead in the first half with two goals from João Félix, along with strikes from Tosin Adarabioyo, Marc Guiu, Axel Disasi, and Mykhailo Mudryk. Christopher Nkunku added two more in the second half, the second from the penalty spot.
Nordsjaelland previously held the record, defeating Ludogorets 7-1 last season.
Chelsea is one of six teams with three victories after three matches.
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Vitória overcame Mladá Boleslav 2-1, Jagellonia triumphed 3-0 over Molde, and Heidenheim won 2-0 against Hearts.
Hours earlier, Legia Warsaw defeated Dinamo Minsk 4-0, and SK Rapid comfortably surpassed Petrocub 3-0.
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