Sure Win
Ruud van Nistelrooy savored a memorable night as he led Manchester United to a thrilling 5-2 victory over Leicester City. This rare opportunity at Old Trafford was special for the United legend, who felt the rush of a home win, celebrating in front of the crowd that once cheered his 150 career goals for the club. After the final whistle, Van Nistelrooy, in a gesture of sportsmanship, shook hands with Leicester manager Steve Cooper, then made his way to the center circle to acknowledge the officials and embrace his team, sharing a particular moment with two-goal midfielder Casemiro.
As he approached the Stretford End, he turned and raised his fists in celebration, fulfilling his promise to deliver a thrilling game for United fans. “We want to get a lot of the ball, attack, and try to give the fans a good night,” he said before the match on Sky Sports. Although rumors persist about United potentially recruiting Sporting coach Ruben Amorim to replace the recently departed Erik ten Hag, many fans, including longtime supporter Roshelle from Wythenshawe, are calling for Van Nistelrooy to remain.
“He [Ten Hag] should have gone in the summer,” Roshelle commented, adding that although she hopes for Amorim’s success, she believes Van Nistelrooy’s history with the club makes him the ideal choice.
What’s Next for Van Nistelrooy?
Following this win, Van Nistelrooy stated he’s ready to support the club “in any capacity.” For now, he’ll prepare for Sunday’s match against Chelsea, where he is likely to remain in charge until at least November. United has experienced this type of enthusiasm before when former players took over interim roles; fans still remember Ryan Giggs leading the club to a 4-0 win against Norwich in 2014 and Michael Carrick’s 2-0 victory in Villarreal after Solskjaer’s exit. Even Solskjaer started as an interim in 2018, leading United to a 5-1 win over Cardiff in his first game, ultimately earning the full-time position.
Van Nistelrooy, reflecting on his interim role, shared a laugh with MUTV, saying, “I’ll text Ole about this.”
An Improved Performance
United’s first-half dominance was notable, with four goals scored—a feat not achieved under Ten Hag. Yet, Van Nistelrooy candidly admitted that United created better opportunities in previous games against Crystal Palace, Fenerbahce, and West Ham, despite not winning those matches. Sometimes, he remarked, “a little bit of luck” is needed. Leicester manager Steve Cooper noted that Old Trafford’s atmosphere was “not intimidating,” though United’s fans remained steadfast in their support, and Van Nistelrooy’s dedication was evident throughout the game.
Focused and energized, Van Nistelrooy could even be seen momentarily stepping into Cooper’s technical area before being redirected by the fourth official. His celebration of Casemiro’s opener showed just how much he relished this return to Old Trafford. He took time to encourage Marcus Rashford and Alejandro Garnacho when substituting them in the second half, understanding, perhaps more than most, the importance of confidence for an attacking player.
A Future Uncertain but Fulfilled
While Van Nistelrooy’s future with United remains uncertain amid the search for a permanent replacement, he left no doubt about his commitment to his role. On this night, at least, he delivered an electrifying experience for the fans, and for himself—a performance he could take pride in.
