Amorim out, Ruud in?

Yeah, I think that that's fair to say 😜. Although Solskjaer did win his first game by scoring 5 goals so...👀.

Jokes aside, we got what we expected: the new manager bounce.

I know that Ruud isn't exactly new as he has been at the club for a few months but he is still the new manager even if it will be short lived.

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He picked a somewhat interesting team in that people expected the likes of Amad and Amass to start (and by people I mean me), while I don't think many predicted the duo of Ugarte and Casemiro in midfield. That was one we hadn't seen start so far. Two CDMs at home in a Carabao Cup game to Leicester was a big call but it did work out.

United started off in their usual flat fashion as it was Leicester - who made nine changes to their starting lineup - that started off the brighter. The Foxes had a shot early on that ended up being a comfortable save for Bayindir, who made his second start of the season and third overall for United.

The home side then started to get into it and took the lead with their first shot on target. Casemiro with a Paul Scholes-esque finish. A strike from 30+ yards out flew into the top corner giving the 'keeper no chances.

Scholes is a great comparison because when looking at the Brazilian's overall performance, he really was like prime Scholes out there. He was pinging passes left, right and centre and made countless great blocks and tackles.

He looked like his old self again.

United then started to control the game from that goal on and also dominated going forward. Garnacho then got on the scoresheet after Dalot played a great cross along the ground for a tap-in for the 20-year-old.

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That became 2-1 as Steve Cooper's side pulled one back after poor defending from United. A cross that wasn't dealt with well enough made it's way to El Khannous who put the ball in the back of the net with a beautiful finish.

Game on.

Just minutes later though, game off.

A deflected free-kick from Bruno Fernandes restored Ruud's Reds' 2-goal lead. That was the captain's first goal of the season.

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Just 3 minutes after that, Casemiro then scored his second to put the game beyond doubt as United were 4-1 up in 40 minutes.

Guys were playing some FIFA stuff.

The goals continued to come as Leicester pulled another back as once more, dismal defending from United saw the ball come off Dalot and into the path of Coady who made it 4-2 from close range.

An entertaining half of football that had 6 goals.

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The Foxes then came out flying in the second period and were on top for the first 10 minutes. Again, United starting a half of football on the slow side.

However, a weak backpass by a Leicester defender ended up being a through ball for Bruno who showed real composure in front of goal to go around the goalkeeper, sit a defender down and blast the ball in from basically on the line.

5-2 on the hour mark.

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Ruud then rang the changes and did something a little different to ten Hag as he began to make his substitutions on 60 minutes. His former manager had a habit of waiting too long as well as making the wrong subs.

Amad had the biggest smile one could have just before he came on for Rashford. Haven't seen that from him in a while.

van Nistelrooy also brought on Mazraoui - who picked up a knock at West Ham, Hojlund, Evans and towards the end, Wheatley. This was something else that was new as he used all of his substitutions.

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The game fizzled out after that 5th goal as both teams appeared as if they knew the game was up and didn't want to exert themselves too much.

Ruud's first game in charge ending with an entertaining and comfortable victory to put United through to the quarter finals where they will be hoping to take some revenge on Spurs as MUFC will face Ange and co at the Spurs Stadium.

A good night out for the former striker who will be hoping for as many more as he can get.

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Ratings

Bayindir - 6

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Dalot - 6

De Ligt - 6

Lindelof - 6

Martinez - 6

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Casemiro - 8 MOTM

Ugarte - 6

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Rashford - 5

Bruno - 7

Garnacho - 6.5

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Zirkzee - 5

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Amad - 6

Mazraoui - 6

Evans - 6

Hojlund - 6

Wheatley - 6

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Ruud van Nistelrooy - 7

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Final Thoughts

I don't think anyone is getting carried away with this result and performance. The new manager bounce is something that always gets our players going and something we've seen too many times before.

While it was obviously better for the team to get an entertaining win rather than getting packed themselves, it still shouldn't sway us from the fact that this isn't new.

I did like that we took our chances and the substitutions by Ruud but other than that, it doesn't really make me super excited for the future.

However, what I will say is that long may this new manager bounce continue. Regardless of whether it's the players genuinely performing like this or playing well because of out with the old, in with the new, we need the wins and points and need to build some momentum.

Bring on Chelsea. Ruud's Red Army!

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Background Image: Ruud van Nistelrooy gets a 5-2 win over Leicester in his first game as interim manager of Man Utd | Image via Manchester United official X (@ManUtd)