Man Utd news: Ruud gets Red Devils revved up for Ruben Amorim’s arrival
Sports News Blitz’s Robert Bore reflects on Manchester United’s win over Leicester City - and gets revved up for the arrival of Ruben Amorim.
A new era
Much like Christmas Eve, by the time you wake up tomorrow kids, the big man will have been.
He has got a beard and will be dressed in red - and hopefully has many gifts for us.
A new era is about to get underway at Manchester United with new coach Ruben Amorim due to punch the clock in Manchester on Monday.
Ruud van Nistelrooy ended his stint at the helm with a convincing 3-0 victory against Leicester as Amad Diallo again shone and captain Bruno Fernandes stole the headlines as United finally fired.
Amad, drafted in for Alejandro Garnacho, started where he left off in midweek, clearly buoyed by his two-goal Europa League heroics, winning a free-kick after showing good feet as United started the game on the front foot.
On their toes
Casemiro, looking a little more svelte this season, was flying around on the wet turf like a yellow card waiting to happen - but United were on their toes, mindful their new gaffer was probably watching on a dodgy stream somewhere.
And it was Amad who set the ball rolling, his cheeky back heel allowing Fernandes to pick-up the one-two and curl one into the far corner of Mads Hermansen's goal.
It was lovely. And it was in the first half - only the second time this phenomenon had occurred in nine Premier League matches!
Leicester should have equalised.
Dalot, who was given the run-around by Leicester starlet Abdul Fatawu until he was hooked before the hour, was caught napping as per - playing Wilfird Ndidi onside as the rest of his defence stepped out.
Despite going one-on-one with Andre Onana, the United keeper stood up well to block the chance.
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Warning sign
It was a warning for the hosts.
There were then shouts for a penalty for the Foxes when Facundo Buonanotte went through but he was crowded out and the ref was having none of it.
United made it two before the break. Noussair Mazraoui whipped the ball in from the left, Rasmus Hojlund's run created the space and the ball was met by the stoop of Fernandes before flying in via hapless defender Victor Kristiansen.
I guess it was only a matter of time before it clicked for Bruno, who has created chance after chance all season with scant reward - even if just courtesy of the law of bloody averages.
The goal was rightly credited to the defender before the half-time whistle had been blown courtesy of the experts at Opta but United's skipper wouldn't have minded while Van Nistelrooy stood - still resplendent - wondering what all the fuss is about.
Easy this management lark.
There was still time for Amad to dance his way through the Leicester defence before the break but his shot was inexplicably straight at Hermansen as the 22-year-old failed to ice the cake he'd beautifully crafted in the opening 45 minutes.
Half-time. Two-goal cushion.
Distinct lack of heartburn.
Midfield bite
It was noticeable that United finally looked to have some teeth in midfield, Ugarte (winning 6/8) and Casemiro (5/7) racking up the tackles, with the Uruguayan looking better with each game and surely relishing being reunited with his old Sporting Lisbon boss.
A scrappy second half was petering out until Garnacho, off the bench, was picked out by Fernandes, took a step inside to steady himself and curled the ball over the keeper to seal the points.
A decent afternoon for United although spare a thought for Hojlund again, just a shot off target in the entire match for the Dane, but his movement is as good as the service into him is bad.
Attention now turns to Ruben Amorin and his first day on the job with a couple of weeks before a trip to Ipswich in his first game in charge.
What will he do at wing-back if he sticks to his usual blueprint?
Amad's defensive work and eager press put him in the box seat down the right with Mazraoui - massively impressive this season since his arrival - down the other.
He'll be happy fellow countryman Fernandes is seeing his creativity translate into goals.
In his 250th appearance for the club he reached 155 goal involvements (83 goals, 72 assists), with direct involvement in 100 goals in 170 Premier League appearances.
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Ruud awakening
But let's save the last word for Ravishing Ruud.
He has looked every inch the boss during his short tenure.
United have remained unbeaten in his four games and he's carried himself well in steadying a listing vessel.
Should he indeed be shipped out when the Portuguese Armada arrives, he won't be out of work for very long.
It would be a very strong statement by Amorim to keep him in the camp, and a brave one at that, knowing his popularity is raging and his audition went well.
So "Seja bem-vindo" Mr Amorim.
Strap yourself in as it will no doubt be a bumpy ride.
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