Manchester United vs. PAOK: Match Preview, Odds & Prediction

In a Europa League matchup at Old Trafford on Thursday night, Manchester United will host PAOK of Greece in what will be Ruud van Nistelrooy's second-to-last game as United interim manager.

Both clubs have yet to secure a win this season, and their first meeting will be a historic one.

Previous Matches and Head-to-head

United hasn't tasted success on the European stage in almost a year. Coming into Thursday's match, they're riding a four-game losing streak, their worst since 1980–1983. They've never gone seven games without a win.

Under former manager Erik ten Hag, the Red Devils drew all three of their first-round Europa League matches, earning just one point against FC Twente, Porto, and Fenerbahce despite having a lead in each of those games. They are now in 21st place in the 36-team league.

Youssef En-Nesyri equalized Christian Eriksen's opening early in the second half for Jose Mourinho's Fenerbahce in Turkey two weeks ago, after a dismal 1-1 home draw with Twente and an entertaining 3-3 away draw with Porto.

Since Ten Hag's dismissal, interim boss Ruud van Nistelrooy has presided over two matches: a 5-2 EFL Cup victory over Leicester City and last weekend's uninspiring 1-1 Premier League draw with Chelsea. The Dutchman will take charge of two more matches this week before Ruben Amorim formally takes over on November 11.

Under Van Nistelrooy's leadership, Manchester United have resurrected their Europa League campaign. They'll be confident heading into Thursday's match against Greek opponents, having won all six of their previous home matches by an aggregate score of 20-1.

Along with Manchester United, PAOK is one of eleven clubs that have not won any of its first three games this season. This is their first Europa League appearance in four years, after a quarterfinal appearance in the Conference League last season.

The White-Blacks lost their first two matches, 3-0 to Galatasaray and 1-0 to FCSB. However, they have since earned a point in their most recent game, a 2-2 draw at home against Viktoria Plzen, despite trailing 2-0 with six minutes to go.

With only one victory in their past thirteen matches (D4 L8) in Europe's secondary club tournament, PAOK are now in 30th place in the 36-team Europa League standings. Additionally, they have lost five of their last six away games on the continent.

With 20 points after ten games (including a 2-1 away win over Lamia last weekend), Razvan Lucescu's squad is in a solid position to defend their Greek Super League crown this season. They are currently one point behind league leaders Aris Thessaloniki.

On Thursday, PAOK will face Manchester United in a European match. They will be looking to avoid a losing streak of three games against English opponents, having lost their previous two matches against Chelsea in 2018–19. PAOK will then prepare for a tricky home match against Olympiacos on Sunday. PAOK's last undefeated streak against English teams was four games, including victories and draws against Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur.

Manchester United x PAOK Team News

A number of United players will be out with injuries, including hamstring, calf, knee, ankle, and foot (though Yoro is very close to a comeback).

Mason Mount has been back in training this week following an injury, but the midfielder probably won't be ready for Thursday's play. Christian Eriksen, who has missed the last two games with an unknown problem, will be evaluated before the start.

After serving a suspension for Man Utd's previous Europa League match against Fenerbahce, Bruno Fernandes is free to return. He will likely start at right back, behind Rasmus Hojlund or Joshua Zirkzee in the attacking third. Other players competing for a spot in the starting lineup include Amad Diallo, Jonny Evans, Victor Lindelof, and Harry Amass.

Regarding PAOK, three players who have not been named to the Greek club's Europa League roster are ineligible: Dejan Lovren, a former Liverpool defender; Mbwana Samatta, a former Aston Villa striker; and Vieirinha, a 38-year-old captain who scored in 2015 against Manchester United while playing for Wolfsburg.

Due to injury, former Chelsea midfielder Tiemoue Bakayoko will also not be able to play, leaving Magomed Ozdoyev, Stefan Schwab, and Mady Camara to compete for the starting midfield spot.

Shola Shoretire might face his old team, Manchester United, on Thursday after spending a decade there before departing for PAOK on a free transfer this summer. The 20-year-old winger has made eight appearances in all competitions for the White-Blacks this season, although he has managed to score only once.

Our predictions

Manchester United to win and under 2.5 goals @ 3.85 on Sky247.ng

Despite Manchester United's lackluster performance in the Europa League so far this season, the arrival of Van Nistelrooy as temporary manager has boosted morale.

Assuming Van Nistelrooy fields a good enough squad to defeat PAOK, the Red Devils will be considered heavy favorites to win all three points on Thursday.

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