Van Nistelrooy Praises Manchester United's Resilience Following 3-0 Victory Against Leicester City

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Ruud van Nistelrooy expressed his satisfaction with Manchester United's 3-0 victory over Leicester City, marking his final game as interim manager. He stepped in after Erik ten Hag's departure last month and remained unbeaten, securing three wins and a draw. Ruben Amorim is set to take over from Monday. Bruno Fernandes and Alejandro Garnacho scored, with Victor Kristiansen also contributing an own goal.

United's unbeaten streak against promoted teams now extends to 19 Premier League matches, amassing 53 out of a possible 57 points (W17 D2). Their last defeat to such a team was against Claudio Ranieri's Watford in November 2021. Van Nistelrooy's future at the club remains uncertain, but he takes pride in his brief tenure at Old Trafford.

"It was professional, you could see that players were fighting through the game," Van Nistelrooy told BBC Sport. "We scored two great goals and there were some good bits, but we didn't have real control of the game." He cherished his short stint as interim manager, describing it as an "amazing period."

The Dutchman acknowledged the uncertainty surrounding his role but emphasised the importance of supporting the club during this time. He expressed gratitude for the fans' unwavering support during challenging moments, calling it a special experience.

During Van Nistelrooy's leadership, United struggled offensively before facing Leicester, scoring only nine league goals in their first ten games—a record low for them in Premier League history. However, Fernandes found form under Van Nistelrooy, netting four goals and reaching his 100th Premier League goal involvement with an assist for Garnacho.

"You saw the class of the team in our goals; we also gave very little away," Van Nistelrooy added. The team aimed to stabilise after a turbulent period and boost players' confidence. Securing three crucial points was vital for their progress.

Fernandes and Garnacho Shine

Fernandes played a pivotal role during these four games by scoring crucial goals and providing assists. "That's the Bruno that is helping the team the most," Van Nistelrooy noted. He also praised Garnacho's impact off the bench after discussing his role before the match.

The interim manager encouraged his squad to maximise their performance across these four matches. Reflecting on their efforts, he concluded they did an acceptable job given the circumstances.

This chapter closes with optimism for Manchester United as they transition to new leadership under Ruben Amorim while acknowledging Van Nistelrooy's contributions during this interim period.