On November 8, 2024, at 4:00 AM China Time, in the 4th round of the 2024/25 UEFA Europa League group stage, Manchester United will host Greek side PAOK Thessaloniki. This is the first-ever meeting between the two teams, and both Manchester United and PAOK Thessaloniki have yet to win a game in this season’s Europa League.
Manchester United’s decline seems far from hitting rock bottom, as the Red Devils have failed to win any European match in the past year. In their last six European matches, they have recorded four draws and two losses, equalling the club’s record of consecutive winless games in European competition set from 1980 to 1983. They have never gone seven consecutive matches without a win before.
Under former manager Erik ten Hag, Manchester United had taken the lead in all three of their Europa League matches this season but ended up drawing all of them, placing them 21st in the league table. Before new manager Bruno Amorim takes over on November 11, caretaker manager Ruud van Nistelrooy has to lead the team through four matches, including a 5-2 victory over Leicester City and a 1-1 draw with Chelsea. Now, Van Nistelrooy shoulders the responsibility of reigniting Manchester United’s hopes in European competition.
Fortunately, despite it being their first encounter with PAOK Thessaloniki, Manchester United has an impressive record against Greek teams at home. They have won all six previous matches against Greek opponents, scoring 20 goals while conceding only one.
After reaching the quarter-finals of the UEFA Conference League last season, PAOK Thessaloniki are participating in the Europa League for the first time in four seasons. Like Manchester United, they are one of the 11 teams that have not won a game in this season’s Europa League.
PAOK Thessaloniki’s start has been less than ideal, losing their first two matches against Galatasaray and Dinamo Bucharest. Two weeks ago, they managed a 2-2 draw against Czech side Viktoria Plzeň by scoring twice in the final six minutes to level the score. Currently, PAOK Thessaloniki rank 30th in the Europa League standings.
This Sunday, PAOK Thessaloniki will face Olympiacos at home in the Greek Super League, a crucial match for the team currently second in the league table. However, they must first focus on their match against Manchester United. Historical data is not in PAOK Thessaloniki’s favor, as they have won only one of their last 13 Europa League matches, drawing four and losing eight. Additionally, they have lost five of their last six away matches in European competition.
In terms of personnel, Manchester United’s injury situation has not improved much. Menno, Maguire, Luke Shaw, Malacia, Antony, and Joachim Juel are still unavailable. Mount has returned to full training, but it may be too early for him to play in the midweek match. Danish midfielder Christian Eriksen will be assessed by the medical team before the match, having missed the last two games. The good news is that captain Bruno Fernandes, who was suspended in the last match, is ready to play and hopes to continue his goal-scoring form from the Chelsea match.
PAOK Thessaloniki’s squad includes several former Premier League players, but former Liverpool defender Dejan Lovren and former Aston Villa forward Mbwana Samatta are not included in the Europa League squad. Neither is 38-year-old team captain Vitorino Antunes. Midfielder Tiemoué Bakayoko, formerly of Chelsea, and local striker Konstantinos Konstanteias are also injured. Summer signing Shoretire, who joined PAOK Thessaloniki on a free transfer from Manchester United, could face his former club.
Both Manchester United and PAOK Thessaloniki are eager to end their winless streaks in this match, but considering their strength and determination, the home team Manchester United seems more worthy of attention. Whether Van Nistelrooy can deliver another strong performance in his third consecutive home game as caretaker manager will be revealed tonight.
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