“Van Gol” did a great job as an interim coach, helping Man United win 3 and draw 1 against Chelsea.
During this unbeaten run, they scored 11 goals and conceded just 3. Not only did the Dutch legend bring back the feeling of a giant, he also helped unite a dressing room that was in chaos under Erik Ten Hag.
The biggest contributor to the Red Devils’ unbeaten streak is captain Bruno Fernandes. The midfielder has scored a total of four goals, including a “superb” performance in the 3-0 win over Leicester City. This is all the more remarkable as the Man United captain has been completely “silent” under Ten Hag since the start of the season.
"Ruud saw the whole team was a bit depressed after the bad results from the beginning of the season. The mood and confidence were down. So Ruud tried to bring joy to every training session, help the whole team relax, and that brought a lot of energy," Fernandes shared.
Van Nistelrooy created a new vitality, bringing a sense of victory and above all the mentality of a superior team. Against weaker teams like Leicester City or Paok, Man United played proactively, imposed and knew how to finish off the opponent.
In the key match against Chelsea, the 1976-born coach chose to play solid defense and wait for quick counterattacks. One of them resulted in a penalty kick in the 69th minute, before captain Fernandes successfully executed it.
Man United also only lost after an incredible shot from Candeo on the Blues side.
Changing team traditions under interim coaches is not a new story at Old Trafford, with Solskjaer and Michael Carrick being examples. But maintaining this spirit is still a difficult problem for the Red Devils' leadership.
After talking with new head coach Ruben Amorim, Van Nistelrooy officially confirmed his departure from the "Theatre of Dreams" along with the coaching staff.
A much-appreciated move at the end of a stunning short journey, while also relieving the pressure on the former Sporting Lisbon coach in his new role.
Man United are currently ranked 13th with 15 points, only 4 points behind Arsenal in 4th place. After 2 weeks off, Mr. Amorim and his team return to the Premier League to face "easy" opponents such as Ipswich Town and Everton.
The clash with the Gunners in round 14 is a serious test for the talent of the new Dutch coach.
