Ruud van Nistelrooy achieved something in his first game that Erik ten Hag didn’t manage in all his time at Man United
Ruud van Nistelrooy has already achieved something at Manchester United that Erik ten Hag could not - and he's only had one game in charge.
Van Nistelrooy, 48, stepped into the interim manager role at United after Ten Hag was relieved of his duties on Monday.
Just three days into his reign at Old Trafford, the former forward has already done something that his predecessor failed to do.
United put in an impressive performance during their Carabao Cup tie against Leicester City netting five goals as Casemiro and Bruno Fernandes scored twice, with Alejandro Garnacho also getting in on the action with his goal on 28 minutes.
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As Fernandes scored United's fifth, it meant the Red Devils had finally scored five goals against Premier League opposition - something Ten Hag had never achieved at the club.
The 5-2 win means United will be in the hat for the quarter-final draw. Despite the exciting attacking display it is thought that Van Nistelrooy will only be a temporary fix as United close in on an agreement with Sporting CP manager Ruben Amorim.
United fans will be hoping they can continue their goal scoring exploits from this evening, with putting the ball in the back of the net proving difficult in the Premier League so far this season having scored just eight times in nine Premier League games this term.
The 48-year-old clearly has belief in United's players despite their poor form at the start of this season.
"Even on an interim basis, it is a great honour to manage the club I love for however long I am asked to do so," he said in his programme notes ahead of tonight's game.
"When I returned in the summer as Erik’s assistant, it was because I believe that Manchester United can climb back to the levels that I knew here as a player," he added.
"I still have that belief, but it will take time and a lot of hard work.
"We’ve seen the squad’s potential at times this season, but clearly not often."
It is still unclear if Van Nistelrooy will remain at the club when a new permanent manager is appointed.
Topics: Manchester United, Erik Ten Hag, Ruud Van Nistelrooy, Carabao Cup, Leicester City, Bruno Fernandes, Alejandro Garnacho
Luke Davies