That was a lot more straightforward than many probably predicted, or at least than I predicted.

But we really couldn't have asked for more from the team and neither could Ruud van Nistelrooy in his final game in charge as interim.

3 goals, 3 points, clean sheet is something one would associate with a relatively professional victory.

‍

United needed the win and had to give Ruud the sendoff he deserves and that's exactly what they did. The home side began the game pretty well and continued so the entire first half.

And 15 minutes in, captain Bruno Fernandes - who was playing in his 250th match for the club - scored a really beautiful goal into the bottom corner after some good work down the left before Amad played a wonderfully casual back heel to assist his captain for that finish.

This all came about after good work by Amad as he put pressure on the Leicester defender Victor Kristainsen after Hojlund blasted the ball out from the defence. The defender was then forced to put the ball out for a United throw in which eventually led to that opener.

All from Amad's hard work. He looked like a player who was thoroughly enjoying himself, which was good to see.

‍

United continued their dominance and around the 40 minute mark, Ruud's Reds doubled their lead through an own goal by Kristiansen, who once again, played a part in the Foxes conceding.

‍

Mazraoui with a brilliant cross from the left gave Bruno the chance to score a brace but poor connection from the magnifico (the ball came off his thigh) meant that it needed helping to go in. Kristiansen obliged (unfortunately for him) and United go into the break 2-0 and cruising.

That is now 4 goals in four games for the skipper. He also got the assist for Garnacho's goal increasing his output even further.

Finding form at the right time.

‍

The second half had the feel of MUFC just staying solid and not allowing Leicester a route back into it as that 45 minutes was quite flat.

However, Ruud wasn't resting on his laurels and made some early second half substitutions as he brought on Garnacho and Evans for Rashford and Dalot before the hour mark.

Big calls, but the right ones. We didn't often see such early changes by Erik ten Hag so this was refreshing. Player isn't performing, he gets substituted. Exactly what you want.

The substitution of Garnacho proved to be correct as the star boy went on to score a fantastic curler into the top corner giving the Leicester 'keeper no chance after being assisted by Bruno.

He didn't celebrate it to a point where I thought it was disallowed for some reason.

However, I think it was in response to some of the criticism he's (rightfully in my opinion) received in recent weeks.

‍

But that goal sealed the deal and ended Ruud's interim spell on a high. The former striker would've been very happy with what he saw from his players as they gave him the sendoff he would've wanted.

I think this was Ruud's best game out of the three not just in terms of the performance and result but for him as a manager as his starting XI delivered, he made the right substitutions at the right times and those players executed the plan superbly.

A good night all round. This period will do him a lot of good for his future managerial endeavors.

‍

Ratings

Onana - 6

‍

Dalot - 5.5

De Ligt - 6.5

Martinez - 6.5

Mazraoui - 7

‍

Casemiro - 7

Ugarte - 8 MOTM

‍

Amad - 7

Bruno - 8

Rashford - 5

‍

Hojlund - 5

‍

Garnacho - 7

Evans - 6

Zirkzee - 6

Eriksen - 6

‍

Ruud van Nistelrooy - 7

‍

Final Thoughts

Very weird position to be in from a United fan's perspective. We've played well, won comfortably (and deservedly), had a drama-less game and we've had a few positive performances in a row.

Very weird indeed. We haven't felt that in a while.

Feels good.

‍

But obviously very happy with the win as that was the most important thing today regardless of the performance but to do it in that manner made it even better. Ruud got the (potential) goodbye he deserved and everyone is feeling a lot happier moving into the international break.

Ruben Amorim also comes in and takes over a team with a positive vibe which will help him a lot more than if we lost. That is good for him as well.

‍

And one final word on Ugarte.

What a performance 👌. That was absolutely magnificent.

I thought he ticked all the boxes and showcased exactly what he's all about. His tackling was great, his ball recovery was brilliant, his covering and tracking back was on point and his passing was immaculate. In contrast to a week ago against Chelsea where it looked like he wanted a transfer to them due to the amount of times he passed the ball to the Blues, his passing tonight was on another level.

That play where he wins the ball back when Leicester are on the attack and then plays that gorgeous pass to Garnacho with his left-foot was unbelievable.

This was his best game for us and hopefully a sign of things to come especially with the manager who basically made him.

But now it's time to start the Amorim era. Let's GOOOOOO!!!!!

‍

Background Image: Alejandro Garnacho scores in Man Utd's 3-0 win over Leicester | Image via Manchester United official X (@ManUtd)