Ruud van Nistelrooy expressed his satisfaction with Manchester United’s 3-0 victory over Leicester City, which marked his final game as interim manager. The Dutchman stepped in after Erik ten Hag’s departure last month and remained unbeaten throughout his brief stint, securing three wins and a draw. The victory, which was highlighted by goals from Bruno Fernandes, Alejandro Garnacho, and an own goal from Leicester's Victor Kristiansen, helped United maintain their impressive unbeaten run against promoted teams, extending it to 19 consecutive Premier League matches. Over that stretch, they have earned 53 points out of a possible 57 (W17 D2), with their last defeat to a promoted team coming against Watford in November 2021.
Although United didn’t dominate possession in the match, Van Nistelrooy praised his team's resilience and professionalism, stating, “You could see that players were fighting through the game.” He highlighted the quality of the goals, especially the efforts from Fernandes and Garnacho, and emphasized the importance of the three points for the team's morale and progress. “We scored two great goals and there were some good bits, but we didn’t have real control of the game,” he added, acknowledging that while the performance wasn't perfect, it was a solid and professional showing in a crucial match.
Van Nistelrooy’s tenure, though brief, was a period of transition for the club, and he expressed pride in his time at Old Trafford. “It was an amazing period,” he said. Despite the uncertainty surrounding his future role at the club, he remained focused on supporting Manchester United through this turbulent time and reflected on the unwavering support from the fans. “It’s been a special experience,” he added, acknowledging the difficult period and the importance of collective effort in maintaining stability.
United’s offensive struggles during Van Nistelrooy’s reign were evident before the Leicester match, as they had scored only nine league goals in their first ten games—setting a Premier League record low for the club. However, the interim manager was able to bring out the best in Bruno Fernandes, who scored four goals during his time in charge, including a crucial goal in the Leicester game, and reached 100 Premier League goal involvements with an assist for Garnacho.
“We saw the class of the team in our goals,” Van Nistelrooy reflected. “We also gave very little away,” underscoring the team’s solid defensive performance. The interim manager also praised the impact of Alejandro Garnacho, particularly his contributions as a substitute, noting how his quick goal added a much-needed boost for the team. Fernandes’ key role in the victories, including his crucial goals and assists, was also acknowledged by Van Nistelrooy, who recognized the midfielder as the player who had been most influential during this period.
Looking forward, Ruben Amorim is set to take over as the new permanent manager of Manchester United from Monday, and Van Nistelrooy's time at the helm will be remembered as a stabilizing influence during a period of uncertainty. Despite the challenges, Van Nistelrooy’s tenure provided an opportunity for the team to regain confidence and return to winning ways after a difficult start to the season.
