Ruud van Nistelrooy and Paul Scholes agree on 'disappointing' Man Utd performer vs PAOK

Rasmus Hojlund has been called out for putting in a disappointing performance in in the .

United picked up their first win in Europe for 380 days . But it was far from a convincing victory over the Greek champions, who spurned a brilliant chance to equalise when only 1-0 down.

Amad opened the scoring with a looping header from ’ back-post cross five minutes into the second half. The United winger doubled his tally by pinching back possession and curling into the bottom corner via a slight deflection.

He was the stand-out performer for United, who were otherwise fairly flat. Hojlund touched the ball just 10 times in a drab first half and struggled to make an impact leading the line in between Amad and Alejandro Garnacho and in front of Fernandes.

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Former United midfielder Paul Scholes praised Casemiro and Manuel Ugarte for their solid partnership which freed Fernandes up. But he was critical of Hojlund’s performance, feeling he did little to trouble the PAOK backline.

“There was a little spell after scored that PAOK looked a little dangerous but it was well controlled for the most part,” he said on TNT Sports. “I was a little disappointed in Rasmus Hojlund. I think he will improve and get better once he is coached by a coach that believes in him. I'm not saying Ruud [van Nistelrooy] doesn't believe in him.”

Scholes was then joined by his former United team-mate – and the club’s current interim manager – to analyse the performance. The two discussed Fernandes’ position in the No.10 space and how important it is for Hojlund to develop a link-up with the United captain.

“I think that’s key for Rasmus – you need partnerships in the team, you need to get close to him,” Scholes explained. “I think he had a little bit of a difficult night, it wasn’t his best night, but as you say, they had that bit where Bruno turns, he’s in the space and Rasmus makes that run. He can do that but it didn’t happen enough tonight for him.”

Van Nistelrooy replied: “It didn’t happen enough. Second half, we were better in positions but also some crosses in the box where he makes runs didn’t come at the time.”

Hojlund has just two goals in 11 appearances this season, after missing the start of the campaign with a hamstring injury. He was replaced by Joshua Zirkzee in the 90th minute on Thursday night, but the Dutchman is struggling even more than him, having failed to score since the opening game of the season against .

Hojlund reacted to the win on , writing: “No witty caption tonight. Just wanna thank you guys for hearing those chants when we’re on pitch. Never getting used to it and absolutely loving it. Congrats @amaddiallo19 u deserved it!”

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