Ruud van Nistelrooy fulfils Man Utd promise in first match since Erik ten Hag sack
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Manchester United opened the floodgates to beat Leicester 5-2 in the Carabao Cup in Ruud van Nistelrooy's first match in charge after replacing Erik ten Hag on an interim basis.
The Red Devils scored more than half of their current tally in the Premier League in one match as they blew out the Ten Hag cobwebs.
There had been a dearth of attacking football at Old Trafford in recent times under Ten Hag, who was axed on Monday.
And with Ruben Amorim seemingly on the way, Van Nistelrooy knows he is only warming the seat for now.
Ruud van Nistelrooy was over the moon to see his side firing
Reuters
But the United legend, who scored 150 goals in 219 games for the club, revealed he wanted to bring back the excitement at Old Trafford that ran rampant during his time in Manchester.
Before kick-off, the former striker promised United fans to get ready for exciting football - and after six goals that certainly was the case.
The 48-year-old said: "Hectic day especially yesterday. Coming in for the first time after Erik was gone.
"We are to stabilise and go out for training and get to work. The team talk was about the opponent and ourselves, what it is about to play at Old Trafford in front of these wonderful fans.
"Hopefully there are lots of possession and attacks. That's what Man Utd is about. I've tried to share that with the players.
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"[The line-up] has to do with the squad we have. We're thin at the moment. We have injury problems.
"The most important thing is passion and energy and get the crowd going and give them a great night of football. It's a big day."
After a nervous start, United settled into the contest when Casemiro rocketed in the first of the net from 30 yards - scoring the first goal of the Ten Hag era and the last.
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Bruno Fernandes scored his first goals of the season
Reuters
A blitzing 11-minute period saw United score three more times - through Alejandro Garnacho, Bruno Fernandes and Casemiro again - while Leicester also got in on the act through Bilal El Khannouss.
Conor Coady reduced the deficit on the stroke of half-time to make it 4-2 and, while some defensive frailties remained, the United fans present almost did not mind as at least they got to see their squad firing again.
Fernandes netted his second of the match with a smile on his face after rounding the goalkeeper - his first goals of the season.
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Casmiro opened the scoring with a rocket
Reuters
The confidence was clearly flowing when Amad Diallo attempted an overhead kick, which nearly whistled into the top corner.
With Chelsea coming up next at Old Trafford, Van Nistelrooy has got off to the a great start and completed his main task - get the United fans smiling again.
United drew Tottenham in the next round of the Carabao Cup, with the semi-final taking place at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
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