“What he told us before the match was the reason why we shocked the world with this masterclass performance…Erik ten Hag has never said that to us before, We’re ready to k!ll ourselves for him to succeed”: Bruno Fernandes reveals what Ruud van Nistelrooy Said to them before the match that inspired a huge Victory over Leicester City
Manchester United appeared renewed and goal-hungry as they cruised to an emphatic 5-2 victory over Leicester City in the Carabao Cup.
In what was Ruud van Nistelrooy’s first game in charge, he was surely looking for a good start to life as Man United’s interim manager.
While United controlled possession early on, they were clearly struggling against a tenacious Leicester, making numerous back passes to Altay Bayindir as well as cross-field passes between flanks.
Six minutes in, Joshua Zirkzee was on the counter after picking up a long ball from Bruno Fernandes. He was ultimately unable to get a shot away after being swarmed by Leicester’s defenders.
On the stroke of 15 minutes, Casemiro broke the deadlock, striking a belter from distance into the far corner that the goalkeeper had no chance of getting to. What a magnificent way to start Van Nistelrooy’s managerial tenure.
Straight after the restart, United were on the hunt for a second goal as Marcus Rashford drilled in a cross to Alejandro Garnacho. While Garnacho attempted to play the ball to Zirkzee in the middle, the keeper rose to catch the ball.
While United earned a free-kick on the edge of the box after a foul by the visitors, Rashford’s effort hit the top of the wall.
In the 28th minute, United’s constant attacking pressure paid off as Garnacho doubled his team’s lead. Casemiro laid the ball off to Diogo Dalot, who sprinted upfield and drilled a low cross to an unmarked Garnacho, who took a skilful shot to seal United’s second goal.
Just minutes later, the underdogs responded in a remarkable manner. Bilel El Khanouss took a sublime one-touch shot from outside the box that flew past Bayindir into the net. It was a disappointing lapse in concentration from the defence.
While United opted for a short corner, this proved to be an ideal decision. Rashford lobbed the ball to Casemiro, whose header hit the upright. The Brazilian was alert enough to pounce on the rebound, slamming it into the back of the net for his second goal of the night. 3-1 to United as the goals continued to roll in.
Four minutes before the break, Casemiro came agonisingly close to sealing his hat trick. Casemiro outpaced the defence to get on the end of a Fernandes free kick, but his header veered inches wide of the far post.
Moments later, Garnacho took a speculative effort outside the box which flew over the crossbar.
During the four added minutes of stoppage time, the visitors’ captain, defender Conor Coady, scored Leicester’s second goal. It was another defensive lapse of concentration for United, with Coady managing to score unmarked.
It was an enjoyable first half of free-flowing, attacking football from United. While the team may need to tighten up at the back, Van Nistelrooy’s players provided plenty of hunger and passion while really seeming to enjoy themselves on the pitch – a sight that has not been seen for quite some time.
Six minutes into the second half, the referee halted play after Manuel Ugarte suffered a head collision with Kasey McAteer. Fortunately, Ugarte was able to rise to his feet and resume the game.
A minute later, the visitors almost took advantage of United’s setback; however, Casemiro heroically cleared the ball out of danger. He also headered the ball out of the box after the subsequent corner.
