Manchester United fans finally witnessed some goals at Old Trafford after a while as Ruud van Nistelrooy’s managerial debut at Old Trafford was marked by a 5-2 win vs Leicester City.
Casemiro and Bruno Fernandes helped themselves to a brace each as Alejandro Garnacho rounded off the goalscorers to give Van Nistelrooy a memorable debut win.
The game was full of winning storylines, with Van Nistelrooy’s mere presence bringing a sense of freshness to a team fanbase increasingly getting apathetic to the team’s travails.
That sense of apathy was transferring to the Man Utd squad as well, or vice versa and the proof was seen immediately in the first game after Ten Hag’s sacking.
Van Nistelrooy pointed out one player in particular he’s ‘delighted’ for after the game who felt the most affected by the malaise under the Dutchman.
Ruud van Nistelrooy all praise for Bruno Fernandes
Fernandes’ troubles this season encapsulate Manchester United’s woes perfectly. Once thriving in a functional team, now a shadow of its former self, bereft of confidence, and looking for a breakthrough.
Before this game, he had yet to score for United this season and the different between the player who plays for Portugal to the one who returns to Old Trafford was night and day.
Even against Leicester, he needed a deflection on his free kick to get off the mark but once that happened, he looked reborn, and a second goal followed shortly after.
Who better to comment on a scoring mentality than Van Nistelrooy, who reserved special praise for his captain after the game-
Van Nistelrooy said: “I’m delighted for him that the first one is in and then more goals are coming. It’s fantastic. I wasn’t worried about him. I see him every day in training. He’s taking a lot on his shoulders. He feels so responsible for everything within the club.”
This is another check mark against the captaincy credentials of the Portuguese which have often been questioned.
He remains the one player who has always given his all regardless of the output or the circumstances. However, so deep was his rut now that even he needed a pep talk to get him going.
Van Nistelrooy’s message to Fernandes
It can often be a problem for players who care too much as it is for a player who doesn’t work hard enough.
While the latter cuts corners and frustrates everyone around him, a player like Fernandes cares too much and when things aren’t going well for him, puts too much pressure on himself.
That can result in a vicious cycle when failure breeds frustration leading to more failure but you never stop trying so the cycle is neverending.
At these times, you just need someone to help you break that cycle with calm words and lifting that pressure which is exactly what Van Nistelrooy did for Fernandes.
The Dutchman said after the game that he had a simple message for Fernandes before the game kicked off.
He said: “Today he was free. I said to him go out and play well, enjoy it. Hopefully, more goals to come but he’s such a professional.”
Sometimes it’s really that simple and keeping it simple is the most difficult thing. Van Nistelrooy recognised it in this case and United will be better for it going forward if their “Magnifico” is doing his thing again.
Receive a digest of our best United content each week direct to your mailbox
