Ruud van Nistelrooy has a reputation for scoring goals at Old Trafford, and he lived up to that promise in his first game as Manchester United’s caretaker manager.
The shackles were lifted and the big guns were activated again as United started the post-Erik ten Hag era in style.
The atmosphere was set before the match. Van Nistelrooy promised United would “fire up the crowd”, giving his all from the sidelines and electrifying the stadium as he emerged from the tunnel. Perhaps he was hoping to replicate another former striker who became an interim player.
Just like in Ole Gunnar Solskjær’s first game as manager, United scored five goals, achieving a feat only achieved once under Ten Hag, as they beat Leicester to reach the Carabao Cup quarter-finals. It felt like a weight had been lifted. Anyway, anyway.
During his time at Ten Hag, goals were often difficult to achieve. Following Monday’s sacking, statistics revealing United’s shocking goal difference under the Dutch manager went viral online. Man City are at the top of the table with +134, Liverpool are at +85, while United are far behind at +11.
This wasn’t like after Jose Mourinho’s release, but it certainly felt different. The pressure is gone.
The most notable was against Leicester, where experienced players stepped up. Captain Bruno Fernandes, who had not scored all season so far, and Casemiro, who had often been overlooked by his former manager, provided the night’s great moments with two goals at Old Trafford.
Without Casemiro’s long-range attacks, United risked falling back into the sloppy habits of recent months. It was the rocket from behind that everyone needed to wake up and re-energize from the start of the heavy litigation.
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Casemiro gives Man United the lead with a stunning top corner shot that Van Nistelrooy would have been proud of.
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Bruno Fernandes made the most of a sloppy backpass from Caleb Okoli to lead Manchester United to a 5-2 victory over Leicester City.
Fernandes appeared to have gotten his mojo back as United got going. He was in the mix again, scoring goals, creating chances and constantly getting in the way. What he’s good at.
The captain ranks second in touches (78) and chances created (4), and has completed more passes into the final third (25) than anyone on the pitch. Fernandes won the ball back in the final third without possession more times than all the rest of United’s starters combined.
In theory, this system was largely a continuation of what was seen under Ten Hag, but with a sense of freedom. That seems to suit Fernandes.
Fernandes and Casemiro take center stage at Old Trafford
It might have been a different story had his free-kick not been diverted by James Justin for his first goal. Fernandes’ shot appeared to have been easily saved by Leicester goalkeeper Danny Ward. That was the luck he needed.
The feel-good factor is back at Old Trafford
It was like a United night. Casemiro’s second goal rebounded off both posts and fell perfectly into the goal. Leicester believed Garnacho’s shot was offside. And it just so happened that VAR was not used this time.
“Where was this fortune before?” Tenbabaa must be asking somewhere, watching from afar.
Van Nistelrooy admitted as much after the match. “We scored some great goals, the first goal was a beauty from Casemiro, but I have to say we were also lucky.
“We had five goals, but we created bigger chances against West Ham, Fenerbahçe and Brentford. Suddenly luck was on our side and it was a great day.”
The reaction to Ten Hag’s sacking, while inevitable, begs a pressing question: Is this what it takes to get players playing?
Over the past decade, since the departure of Sir Alex Ferguson, a cycle has been established where out-of-form players suddenly improve when they feel they are fighting for their future.
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Van Nistelrooy reacts to first win against Leicester in the Carabao Cup, highlighting Casemiro’s presence on the pitch
Five permanent managers have asked for this kind of response, only to see it when the next guy walks through the door and they’ve already been thrown on the scrap heap.
Sacking Ten Hag seemed the only solution to halt United’s dismal start to the season. 14th place in the Premier League table after nine games is clearly not enough. However, this does not solve all problems.
Leicester’s crushing defeat was the result of the team responding to the shock. Nothing more. Ruben Amorim, who is expected to replace Ten Hag, still has work to do. This is an impossible task.
