Manchester United will try to get their first win in this season’s Europa League when they take on PAOK at Old Trafford in their fourth league game.
Draws against FC Twente, Fenerbahce, and FC Porto have left Man Utd in a precarious position where there’s a very real chance of missing out on the top-eight in the league.
This is Ruud van Nistelrooy’s first, and last game in charge of United in the Europa League and Man Utd vs PAOK predictions should ideally only trend one way.
However, with this team struggling to take their chances, every game is a potential banana skin so here’s Man Utd vs PAOK prediction and analysis as Van Nistelrooy tries to leave a good platform for Ruben Amorim-
Match breakdown and analysis
PAOK are less high-profile than the Old Trafford outfit but they are giants in their own league who are used to winning games every week.
They are the defending Greek champions and currently sit second in the league, just a point behind Aris while being the highest scorers in the league.
They played the same day as United faced Chelsea so the amount of rest both teams have had in the buildup is the same although United undoubtedly had the tougher game.
PAOK dispatched Lamia without breaking a sweat on the weekend, winning just 2-1 but dominating throughout.
The away side finished the game with 74% possession and continued the theme of dominating domestic league games while resting some of their starters to prep for the United fixture.
They set up in a 4-2-3-1 formation, similar to how Van Nistelrooy has set his team up in his two games as Man Utd manager so far.
Shola Shoretire will be eager to make a mark on his United return and there’s a chance he might start as PAOK will be missing a key man for this game.
Andrija Zivkovic scored at the weekend and he’s a big threat to contend with for whoever starts at left-back for United. There are a couple of faces besides Shoretire who will be familiar to United fans in the Greek side.
Dejan Lovren, former Liverpool defender now plays for them while Baba Rahman, the Chelsea outcast has also found a permanent home in Greece.
Both are expected to start against United. Mady Camara will be the man to watch out for in defensive midfield and he could give trouble to United’s midfield with his energetic running and combative defensive skills without the ball.
Man Utd vs PAOK prediction
Regardless of who the manager is, what position the team is in, and how the form is coming into the game, PAOK at home is a game that Man Utd will always be favourites for.
That is the tag they need to live up to here and get their first win in the Europa League this season to give their campaign lift-off.
The team has played with new energy since Van Nistelrooy took over and if they start taking their chances, as they did vs Leicester, then this is a game they should win comfortably.
Some rotation is to be expected so there is a chance for the likes of Amad to make a claim for starting at the weekend vs Leicester with an irresistible display here.
Everything seems to be in United’s favour and it will be regarded as a huge missed opportunity if they fluff the chances to get three points.
United in Focus predicts Manchester United 3-0 PAOK.
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