Ruud van Nistelrooy was appointed Manchester United’s interim manager on a recent Monday, marking a significant moment in his career. He is now tasked with leading the team at Old Trafford, where he hopes to recreate the thrilling victories he once enjoyed as a player. After United’s impressive 5-2 victory over Leicester City, Van Nistelrooy expressed his appreciation for both the players and officials. The former striker celebrated with midfielder Casemiro, who scored twice, and then acknowledged the fans in the iconic Stretford End, where he had previously scored many of his 150 goals for the club.

Before kickoff, Van Nistelrooy had set clear expectations for the match. He emphasized his desire for the team to maintain possession and deliver an exciting performance for the supporters. While some fans are hoping for a more permanent managerial arrangement with Van Nistelrooy at the helm, Manchester United is reportedly pursuing Sporting CP’s coach Ruben Amorim to replace Erik ten Hag, who was dismissed that same Monday. One fan expressed disappointment about the timing of Ten Hag’s departure but noted she would have preferred Van Nistelrooy take over permanently due to his history with the club.

Post-match, Van Nistelrooy indicated his willingness to assist the club in any capacity needed. He is scheduled to address the media ahead of an upcoming match against Chelsea at Old Trafford, although it remains uncertain if he will still be in charge by then. The expectation is that Amorim may conclude his current commitments with Sporting during the international break in November.

Historically, Manchester United has seen former players step into interim roles successfully. For instance, Ryan Giggs led the team to a 4-0 win against Norwich City after David Moyes' exit in 2014. Similarly, Michael Carrick won matches when he took over after Ole Gunnar Solskjær’s dismissal in 2021.

Van Nistelrooy acknowledged that while his team performed well against Leicester—scoring four goals in the first half—there had been opportunities earlier in the season where they failed to capitalize despite creating chances. Leicester’s manager noted that he found Old Trafford’s atmosphere less intimidating than expected.

Throughout the match, Van Nistelrooy demonstrated intense engagement and professionalism. His joy during Casemiro’s opening goal reflected a deep connection to his past experiences at Old Trafford. He made sure to connect with players like Rashford and Garnacho after substituting them, understanding how vital confidence is for attacking players.

While it remains uncertain how long Van Nistelrooy will stay in this role or what future matches may hold, he certainly made a positive impression on this occasion and enjoyed every moment of it.