Ruud van Nistelrooy was full of praise for his Manchester United squad as he kicked off his interim spell as manager with a 5-2 Carabao Cup fourth round win over Leicester at Old Trafford, but singled out two after the game.
The interim manager, who has stepped in following Erik ten Hag’s sacking on Monday, told reporters: “I couldn’t ask for more. The first goal was unbelievable, top goal, top corner. Then you also need some luck.”
“The double post, came back to Casemiro. But the first one is in then you see more goals are coming. Good goal by Garnacho, good assist by Diogo (Dalot). Do I have all five covered? Bruno… great night.”
There was special praise for Casemiro, arguably the best player on the pitch, scoring twice and putting in an all-action performance reminiscent of his debut campaign.
He continued: “I was delighted for Case. The way he’s been training, helping the team and the club, It’s such an example. You also see the crowd’s reaction, you see what he’s about. I’m delighted to have him around.
“He had the Liverpool game, he had a lot of criticism. It was so hard. It’s not fair. He didn’t deserve that. Its not true. If you see him train and prepare for games, with the history and all he has achieved. He is an example for us. I was happy for him.”
The United icon also had a word for captain Bruno Fernandes, who ended his barren run in front of goal with two strikes. He said: “I wasn’t worried about him because I see him every day in training, the way he’s helping the team. He’s taking a lot on his shoulders. He’s so responsible for everything within the club.
“Today he was free, go out and play well. I was delighted for him, for the first one to go in then goals start coming. Hopefully there are more to come.”
Van Nistelrooy’s first game in charge was a near carbon copy of his former strike partner’s Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s, who beat Cardiff 5-1 back in December 2018, and the Dutchman took note of that saying: "OK. Well, I draw with Ole. I will text him about this. Thanks to the players, it happened."
Van Nistelrooy is likely to be in charge for Sunday’s Premier League clash with Chelsea at Old Trafford, as talks over hiring manager target Ruben Amorim continue with Sporting CP.
