The post-Erik ten Hag era at Manchester United got underway with a revitalising 5-2 win against Leicester City in the Carabao Cup.
Interim boss Ruud van Nistelrooy named a strong XI for the game and was rewarded with four goals in the first half, including two sensational finishes from a reenergised Casemiro. The frailties that undermined the previous regime were occasionally on show too, though, with Leicester scoring twice to make it 4-2 at the break. Still, after a troubled few weeks, the home crowd — which included Sir Alex Ferguson for the first time since he lost his role as a club ambassador — lapped up the entertainment.
The fun continued in the second half, with a fifth goal featuring a delicious foot-roll from Bruno Fernandes and an overhead kick from Amad that went close to making it six.
Laurie Whitwell analyses some of the key talking points from a restorative evening for United supporters.
Ruud van Nistelrooy, football manager
Ruud van Nistelrooy certainly looked the part as he strode down the touchline before kick-off. Gone was the tracksuit he wore as Erik ten Hag’s assistant, and in came a polo neck, trousers and smart winter coat as interim manager. He gave the Stretford End a fist pump as he came out the tunnel and spent the whole game stood in his technical area, very visibly a man in charge.
There were questions about Van Nistelrooy being set up by United’s hierarchy as a readymade replacement for Ten Hag when he was appointed in the summer, but the truth is Ten Hag selected him. Still, Van Nistelrooy has accepted the chance to step into Ten Hag’s shoes and be boss of the club where he forged a cult hero status as a player, and in some ways this period can be seen as his audition for managerial jobs elsewhere. How long he has the United reins remains to be seen, and it is not yet clear what Amorim’s intentions would be with Van Nistelrooy, who has impressed people at Carrington.
His first game in charge was certainly entertaining. Van Nistelrooy only scored one of his 95 Premier League goals from outside the area, perhaps adding an extra layer of awe to his face when Casemiro’s wonder strike flew in early on. Van Nisterooy’s arms shot skywards, and three more celebrations followed in the first half as United remembered how to finish. Ten Hag must have been sat wondering where this shooting was at West Ham.
Occasionally Rene Hake, Ten Hag’s other new assistant in the summer reshuffle, left the bench to join Van Nistelrooy to talk tactics, and the crowd reaction to having a former player on the sidelines was notable. After the second goal they sung his name to the tune of Karma Chameleon, and after the fourth it was the more rudimentary “Ruud, Ruud, Ruud”. Either way, these supporters enjoyed having him in the Old Trafford hotseat.
United’s players take their chances… at last
Former United striking legend sees his club score five goals in his first match as temporary manager? Old Trafford in October 2024 had the feel of Cardiff City Stadium in December 2018 with Van Nistelrooy cast in the Ole Gunnar Solskjaer role this time. Solskjaer won 5-1 in his debut as boss, and Van Nistelrooy racked up five goals too.
Solskajer kept winning to land the job full-time and stick around at United until 2021. Van Nistelrooy already knows who is lined-up to come in, so there is not the same buzz of potential now, but it will be intriguing to sense the mood should he continue to replicate Solskjaer’s initial impact when Chelsea visit on Sunday.
Nearly everything United touched turned to goals against Leicester, starting with Casemiro’s screamer that kissed the join of bar and post. United may have benefitted from kind officiating for their second, with Steve Cooper adamant the assistant referee’s flag should have been raised when Casemiro found Diogo Dalot down the wing. (Ten Hag surely smiling wryly somewhere in the world after his recent VAR nightmare). Dalot’s cross was met with an emphatic finish by Alejandro Garnacho, and Casemiro wheeled away to give Van Nistelrooy a knowing smile.
United were aided by a deflection as Bruno Fernandes struck his free-kick for a third, and there was a kind bounce off both posts as Casemiro collected his own rebound to hammer in a fourth. Caleb Okoli did United’s best playmaking of the night by gifting the ball to Fernades for the fifth. Fernandes finished brilliantly, rolling his studs over the ball to go round Danny Ward and virtually walk it into the net.
Later on Van Nistelrooy put on Rasmus Hojlund to join Joshua Zirkzee, and gave a run out to 18-year-old striker Ethan Wheatley. He was making his mark while he has the chance.
What’s the latest on Ruben Amorim?
Manchester United’s negotiations with Sporting Lisbon centre on the date Ruben Amorim will be allowed to start working at Old Trafford, but progress is being made. Amorim has a €10million release clause in his contract, which United have expressed intention of triggering, but there is also a 30-day notice period.
Sporting want Amorim to stay in charge for the next important games, including against Manchester City on Tuesday and Braga on November 10. They are also demanding extra compensation to allow the departure of the coaches Amorim would like to join him, including Emanuel Ferro, Adelio Candido, Carlos Fernandes, Jorge Vital and Paulo Barreira.
Amorim wants a smooth exit from a club he has called home for four years, conscious of the bond established with supporters in two title wins, and it is thought United are open to a degree of diplomacy given the season is underway. Chief executive Omar Berrada and sporting director Dan Ashworth are leading the talks for United. Should Sporting be allowed to keep Amorim as desired, he would join United during the international break, with his first game being away to Ipswich on November 24.
Ruud van Nistelrooy would then have four games in charge, as well as Leicester City in the Carabao Cup, adding in Chelsea in the Premier League, PAOK in the Europa League, and Leicester again in the Premier League.
What did Ruud van Nistelrooy say?
We will bring you this after he has spoken at the post-match press conference.
What next for United?
Sunday, November 3: Chelsea (H), Premier League, 16:30 (GMT), 12:30 (ET)
Recommended reading
- Will Manchester United ever return to the top of English football?
- The 10 charts that explain United’s struggles under Erik ten Hag
- Manchester United target Ruben Amorim is one of Europe’s most coveted tactical thinkers
- Ten Hag was overwhelmed at United – a job that looks increasingly impossible
- A tactical guide to Ruud van Nistelrooy, the football manager
- Keeping Ten Hag was Sir Jim Ratcliffe and INEOS’ first big mistake – they cannot afford another
(Top photo: Getty Images)
