After Manchester United’s exciting 5-2 win against Leicester, Ruud van Nistelrooy relished the opportunity to manage at Old Trafford. Reflecting on his time as interim manager, he knows such moments may not come often, but he fully embraced this one. At the final whistle, Van Nistelrooy first acknowledged Leicester’s manager, Steve Cooper, before heading to the pitch to congratulate his players, including a warm embrace with Casemiro, who scored twice. Walking toward the Stretford End, a spot once synonymous with his goal celebrations, he raised his fists to the crowd, fulfilling his pre-match commitment to deliver an electrifying performance.
In a brief post-game interview, he emphasized his goal of “getting a lot of the ball, attacking, and giving fans a good night.” Yet, his stint as interim manager may be short-lived, with Sporting’s Ruben Amorim rumored as a possible full-time replacement. For fans like Roshelle from Wythenshawe, the idea of Van Nistelrooy staying on resonates. She expressed regret about Erik ten Hag’s summer departure, wishing Van Nistelrooy had been given the job instead. Though she acknowledges Amorim’s success abroad, Roshelle voiced a familiar sentiment among supporters who believe Van Nistelrooy’s experience with the club gives him an edge.
A standout performance on the field
United’s victory over Leicester saw a standout first half, marking the first time this season the team scored four before halftime, a feat they hadn’t achieved under Ten Hag. Despite recent goal-scoring struggles against Crystal Palace, Fenerbahce, and West Ham, Van Nistelrooy admitted they needed “a bit of luck” this time. His passion was evident; early in the game, he was so absorbed that he accidentally crossed into Cooper’s technical area before fourth official Michael Salisbury guided him back.
Leicester’s manager Cooper mentioned that the atmosphere at Old Trafford was surprising, noting it was not as intimidating as expected, but United’s fans still played their part in rallying behind the team. Van Nistelrooy’s presence on the sidelines was marked by intensity, especially as he celebrated Casemiro’s opener with palpable enthusiasm. When he substituted Marcus Rashford and Alejandro Garnacho, he took time to offer words of encouragement, drawing on his own experiences to boost the confidence of these young attackers.
What’s next for Van Nistelrooy?
For now, Van Nistelrooy remains focused on the tasks at hand. He’ll lead the pre-match conference for Sunday’s game against Chelsea and may continue until the international break in November, when Amorim could potentially take over. Van Nistelrooy hinted he’s open to staying on in any role needed by the club, saying he’ll support the team “in any capacity.”
This success is reminiscent of previous interim managers like Ryan Giggs and Michael Carrick, who each had notable wins in short stints. Van Nistelrooy even joked about texting Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, another former player who took on the interim role. For now, he can look back on this game as a moment he truly savored, knowing he gave everything for the club he holds dear.
