- Ruud van Nistelrooy ended his four-game stint as interim manager with a 3-0 win over Leicester.
- Bruno Fernandes scored again and assisted in the second goal, while Alejandro Garnacho added a brilliant third.
- United remain 13th in the Premier League but are just four points behind the top four.
- Van Nistelrooy reflected on his tenure as a valuable experience, though his future at the club is uncertain as Ruben Amorim takes over.
- Despite a turbulent period, Van Nistelrooy was proud of stabilizing the team and boosting player confidence.
Ruud van Nistelrooy described his brief stint as Manchester United’s interim manager as a “short but amazing period” after overseeing a 3-0 victory over Leicester on Sunday, maintaining an unbeaten record during his four-game tenure.
The Dutchman, a legendary figure at Old Trafford for his prolific goal-scoring during his playing career, guided United to victories over Leicester in the League Cup and PAOK in the Europa League, along with a 1-1 draw against Chelsea in the Premier League.
Looking back on his time in charge, Van Nistelrooy expressed pride in his work, even though his future at the club remains uncertain. “We said ‘let’s make the most of these four games’, get the maximum out of it, and I think we did an OK job,” he reflected. “I really enjoyed it. It’s been a short but amazing period. We are in an uncertain position, but we tried to do our jobs and help the club, which is important. The support from the fans and the team through difficult moments was special.”
In the match against Leicester, Bruno Fernandes continued his excellent form under Van Nistelrooy, scoring his fourth goal in as many games. On his 250th appearance for United, Fernandes also played a key role in the second goal, his header deflecting off Leicester defender Victor Kristiansen into the net. Alejandro Garnacho then sealed the win with a brilliant third goal off the bench, as United showed signs of improvement in front of goal after early season struggles.
Despite the win, Manchester United remain 13th in the Premier League, though they are only four points off the top four. Van Nistelrooy, who returned to Old Trafford in June as an assistant to Erik ten Hag, will pass the managerial reins to Ruben Amorim, who will take charge for United’s next match away to Ipswich in two weeks.
It remains unclear whether Van Nistelrooy will have a role in Amorim’s coaching staff, but the 48-year-old expressed pride in stabilizing the club during a challenging period. “We tried to stabilise after a difficult and emotional time,” he said. “We wanted to get players performing at their best, get the right feeling into them, and make them believe in themselves.”
He continued, “This spell was a big responsibility, and I took it very seriously. I wanted to help and get United into a better place—that was my goal. With three wins and a draw, it’s a standard you want to grow towards as a club.”
