Perhaps there was some truth in Erik ten Hag's assertion that Manchester United were experiencing a run of bad luck in the final weeks of his tenure. While VAR decisions went against his team at West Ham, it was absent in their favour against Leicester. The woodwork and deflections seemed to be working in United's favour. Fortune smiled on United on Wednesday, but the team remains in a state of flux, requiring clarity on their future direction.
It has been evident for too long that a change was necessary to lift the spirits of the club. United has experience with a legend stepping in to revitalize a struggling club, desperate to avoid hitting rock bottom. The fans had long realized that things were not working out for Ten Hag; even when victories were achieved, they felt more like placebos than cures. However, the win against Leicester provided some relief.
With Ruud van Nistelrooy on the sidelines, there was a noticeable boost in energy both on the field and in the stands. The former United striker, before kick-off, pumped up the crowd with his enthusiasm. It is unlikely that Van Nistelrooy will follow in Ole Gunnar Solskjær's footsteps and secure a long-term role. He is the popular supply teacher who brings a guitar, but he did his best to adhere to the curriculum left by Ten Hag.
It would be optimistic to say that anyone at Old Trafford arrived with high hopes, given the prolonged malaise. However, the prospect of a young coach reversing years of failure is promising, even if it has often been a false dawn since Sir Alex Ferguson's retirement in 2013. While waiting to see if Rúben Amorim will take the job, United had a match to win.
Van Nistelrooy's main task was to inject some fun into a fanbase that has seen too much mediocrity. This was a free hit for United and their interim manager against a Leicester side fielding reserves. The football was enjoyable, if not perfect, helping them reach the quarter-finals of the Carabao Cup. Ten Hag often spoke of winning two major trophies in as many seasons, and this competition seems to be United's best shot at silverware, a concept that feels like an annual necessity.
Casemiro's stunning strike from 30 yards, Garnacho's goal after a debatable offside call, Fernandes's free-kick, and Casemiro's rebound after hitting both posts were highlights. Fernandes's fifth goal came from a poor Leicester back-pass. Ten Hag had been waiting for such luck.
The match felt like a mid-season friendly; Leicester used it to give benchwarmers game time, while United waited to see if they would switch to a 3-4-3 formation under a new manager. Van Nistelrooy made minor adjustments rather than a complete overhaul, so the lineup wasn't drastically different from Ten Hag's recent selections.
The key change for United's players was a more relaxed attitude, greater ambition in passing, quicker movement, and finally, finishing enough chances to secure a comfortable lead. The two goals conceded came from crosses they failed to deal with, a consistent weakness that needs addressing by the next manager. However, they compensated for defensive lapses with goals at the other end.
The victory was welcomed, and there were chants of 'Ruuuuuuuuud' at full-time, but the overall atmosphere was subdued as fans pondered what comes next. Sunday's visit from Chelsea will be a far tougher test than overcoming a relegation-threatened Leicester side. The performance will need to improve significantly for Sunday, as Chelsea will apply much more pressure.
As negotiations continue to secure Amorim's services, this result will encourage United's hierarchy to expedite the process. Van Nistelrooy provided some relief by giving his players more freedom and delighting the fans with five goals. However, it is clear that United needs a long-term change of direction and someone to establish an identity that the fans can rally behind.
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