Ruud van Nistelrooy showed more emotion in one game for Man Utd than Erik ten Hag did in 128

Ruud van Nistelrooy took charge of his first game as interim Manchester United manager in a resounding 5-2 Carabao Cup win over a weakened Leicester at Old Trafford. Telegraph Sport runs the rule over how the Dutchman handled the occasion.

Body language

It could have been the Milk Tray man on the touchline. Dressed in matching dark designer overcoat, turtle-neck jumper and trousers, Van Nistelrooy cut a suave figure and looked every inch a manager out to impress. If Erik ten Hag was often quiet and reserved on the sidelines, at least until more recent times when the pressure began to bite, United’s interim manager was unafraid to show his emotions.

Whether he was corralling his defence to push up and play a higher line or lustily celebrating United’s goals, Van Nistelrooy looked more animated over 90 minutes than Ten Hag had for much of his 128-game reign and even managed a laugh and joke with his Leicester counterpart Steve Cooper at one point. “What a hit!” the beaming Dutchman said as he revelled in Casemiro’s stunning opener. Arms in the air, fists shaking, it was clear he was determined to enjoy every goal. This was not a man short of confidence.

Crowd reaction

Old Trafford has not been a happy stadium this season. It has been a restless, disillusioned place, frustration and despair at times giving way to apathy. Jeers – for lame performances or some of Ten Hag’s substitutions – were not uncommon. Those chants at full-time here were not boos but cries of “Ruud”. Van Nistelrooy’s name had been sung by the Stretford End at various times throughout the game, the United fans warmly embracing their revered former striker, who scored 150 goals in 219 games for the club.

Van Nistelrooy was only too happy to milk the applause from the Stretford End at the final whistle, holding both arms aloft in front of his adoring fans before eventually disappearing down the tunnel. It evoked memories of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s early caretaker spell following Jose Mourinho’s sacking. Sir Alex Ferguson, watching on from his seat in the directors’ box, cut a happy figure.

Tactics

United lined up in the same 4-2-3-1 formation favoured by Ten Hag but Van Nistelrooy started with two No 6s in Casemiro and Manuel Ugarte, in a bid to give the team a bit more steel through the middle. Leicester made 10 changes to the team that lost 3-1 against Nottingham Forest last Friday so this was not the strongest of opposition but there was far greater urgency, pace and aggression to United’s play than we had seen for much of a torrid campaign to date.

United moved the ball more quickly and there was more interplay and swifter transitions. On a couple of occasions Van Nistelrooy called over his assistant Rene Hake from the dug-out for a discussion. He looked at his most disgruntled after a lack of communication allowed Leicester to claim a cheap second after making a hash of clearing a simple free-kick.

Substitutions

Ten Hag never did quite seem to trust Amad Diallo but it was noticeable how often Van Nistelrooy was warmly applauding the Ivory Coast winger from the touchline following his introduction as a second half substitute for Marcus Rashford, not least after an acrobatic overhead kick that whistled just wide.

Van Nistelrooy embraced every substitute who came off and gave a quick pep talk to those he brought on, including youngster Ethan Wheatley. Rashford, Lisandro Martinez and Alejandro Garnacho were brought off well before the end with Sunday’s visit of Chelsea in mind.

Who did he get a tune from?

Bruno Fernandes and Casemiro both scored twice and looked happier and more energised than they have at any stage this season as they ran riot against Leicester. Ugarte also impressed as the other central midfielder, the Uruguayan setting the tone for his performance in the first minute when he pressed high and won an interception. Joshua Zirkzee still looks some way short but Alejandro Garnacho was a persistent threat and took his finish from Diogo Dalot’s cross quite superbly.