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Manchester United tackle PAOK Salonika FC tomorrow night time of their fourth match of their Europa League marketing campaign.
The Pink Devils have drawn the opening three matches of the competitors and are determined to report their first win of the league stage, as they sit in twenty first place within the desk.
United have by no means performed the Greek facet earlier than, in what can be an historic assembly between the 2 golf equipment.
With former gamers Facundo Pellistri enjoying for Panathinaikos and Anthony Martial for AEK Athens, United have extra connections with Greek soccer than they normally do.
Listed here are three storylines to get followers buzzing for an important match and Ruud van Nistelrooy’s solely European tie in cost as interim head coach.
Shola Shoretire return
The 20 yr previous joined the United academy in 2013 however ultimately left this summer time after the expiration of his contract.
Shoretire performed 5 instances for the senior facet, making his debut off the bench in 2021 as a 17 yr previous towards Newcastle United.
He was unable to get many possibilities within the first crew and determined to signal for the Greek facet in the summertime, the place he has performed in eight matches and scored one purpose.
He has needed to make do with restricted motion within the Europa League thus far, solely enjoying seven minutes off the bench however he may count on to get extra motion at his former facet and the place he made his skilled debut.
If he’s to play any minute of the match tonight, he’ll probably obtain a powerful welcome from the Previous Trafford crowd.
United’s fantastic residence report towards Greek opposition
As is to be anticipated, United have a really robust report towards sides from Greece, particularly at residence.
In accordance with The BBC, “Manchester United have gained all six of their residence video games towards Greek sides by an mixture rating of 20-1.”
As well as, the Pink Devils have scored three or more goals of their final 5 UEFA competitors matches at residence towards Greek groups, so can be hoping for a morale boosting victory tonight.
Earlier outcomes have included a 3-0 win over Olympiacos FC in 2014, when a Robin van Persie hat trick overcame a 2-0 defeat in Greece within the last-16 of the Champions League in the course of the David Moyes season.
United additionally beat Panathinaikos at residence 5-0 in 2003.
PAOK have misplaced 5 of their final six away matches within the UEFA Europa League competitors correct, as they sit thirtieth within the league standings with one level from three matches.
United aiming to interrupt poor European streak
The match towards PAOK tomorrow night time begins a run of objectively simpler European fixtures after away days in Porto and Istanbul, and United definitely want it after their newest run in Europe.
They’re with no win in over a yr since unconvincingly beating FC Copenhagen 1-0 at Previous Trafford final October, with solely a last-gasp penalty save from Andre Onana preserving the three factors.
“Manchester United are winless in six main European matches, drawing 4 and shedding two, their worst run since 1980 to 1983. They’ve by no means beforehand gone seven with no win.”
In different phrases, ought to the Pink Devils fail to win tomorrow night time, they won’t solely make qualification an uphill job however they can even go down because the worst United crew in European historical past.
