‘A celebration of a man living a new reality – even if just for a moment’

Ruud van Nistelrooy is unsure of when the situation will return.

When he will be in charge of Manchester United, at Old Trafford, when they win, in such thrilling style.

Van Nistelrooy first shook the hand of defeated opponent Steve Cooper before moving purposefully towards the center circle, where he greeted his players, gave them a special thanks, and thanked Casemiro for his two goals.

Then he made his way to the Stretford End, where Van Nistelrooy celebrated all of his club’s 150 goals with him two decades ago.

He turned to face the rest of the stadium as he was walking. However, Van Nistelrooy jumped up his fists in jubilation once more in front of that well-known old stand. He had delivered on his pre-match demand.

Some people would prefer a longer-lasting union, and United would not be trying to find Ruben Amorim to replace Erik ten Hag, who was fired on Monday.

Chatting before the game with Roshelle from nearby Wythenshawe, she certainly fell into that category.

“He]Ten Hag] should have gone in the summer”, she said. “The timing was perhaps a shock, but it did happen.”

If Ruud had been hired, I would have preferred it. He is a club legend for the entire history.

“I didn’t actually know who he]Amorim] was. In his own nation, he is unbeaten, which is good. But that is not here. Ruud played here. He is aware of the state of the game.

Van Nistelrooy stated after the game that he would be willing to “help the club in any way”.

That will be to hold a press conference on Sunday at Old Trafford in front of the media on Thursday.

It is likely, but not certain, Van Nistelrooy will still be in charge for that game. In fact, it’s starting to feel like the time will come for Amorim to finally break away from Sporting.

United have previously been here, sipping on the ferocity of a well-known former player becoming the new boss.

In April 2014, Ryan Giggs replaced David Moyes with four games after winning the game 4-0. After Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s exit in 2021, Michael Carrick took over for three games in Villarreal and won 2-0.

Solskjaer, of course, got the job full-time after initially taking over from Jose Mourinho as an interim in 2018. United also scored five, at Cardiff, in Solskjaer’s first match in charge.

Under Ten Hag, United never scored four in the first half like they did against Leicester.

Van Nistelrooy was open to the fact that they had won none of those games despite having more and better chances this season at Crystal Palace, Fenerbahce, and West Ham. Sometimes, he admitted, you need” a little bit of luck”.

Leicester boss Steve Cooper remarked that he was surprised at the atmosphere inside Old Trafford:” It wasn’t what we were expecting. It wasn’t intimidating at all. It was enjoyable to play.

That is a bit harsh. United’s fans got behind their team and they provided a performance.

Van Nistelrooy was clearly focused.

He was halfway across Cooper’s technical area for the first few minutes because he was so engrossed in the action before fourth official Michael Salisbury led him back to his own.

After enduring numerous memorable Old Trafford days for decades, Casemiro’s opener was his celebration of a man who was living a new reality.

When he took Alejandro Garnacho and Marcus Rashford in his place in the second half, he made a point of speaking with both of them. He will understand how important confidence is for an attacking player more than most.

His demeanor was one of professional pride and determination to perform his duties to the best of his ability.

We do not know what Ten Hag thought, or what Amorim made of the victory, or a quarter-final trip to Tottenham, which will almost certainly be his to fulfil in the middle of next month.