Manchester United’s 4-0 victory over Everton at Old Trafford on Sunday was Ruben Amorim’s first Premier League win since taking over and it came on his home league debut.
While the Portuguese will be pleased with Marcus Rashford and Joshua Zirkzee’s braces, it was Amad Diallo’s relentless pressing and creativity that led to the three points.
Unfairly overlooked by former boss Erik ten Hag, the 22-year-old has come into his own since the Dutchman’s departure and now has two goals and four assists since.
And while Amorim’s trust in the Ivorian and his new position have helped, the ex-Sporting Lisbon boss was quick to praise former interim boss Ruud van Nistelrooy for kickstarting the change in Amad’s gameplay.
RvN credited by Amorim
The Dutchman not only steadied the ship after a turbulent start under the former Ajax coach, he also helped numerous players regain their form.
He wanted to stay and work with the Portuguese tactician but the new coach wanted to work with his own staff and thus, a difficult exit had to occur.
It was only a four-game unbeaten run but it saw the former United striker earn plenty of interest from clubs all across Europe, from the Championship to Bundesliga 2 before being named as the new Leicester City boss.
And Van Nistelrooy was surprised with the offers he got, something he never got on the back of a successful campaign at PSV Eindhoven, where he won the cup and the charity shield.
“What happened after the games and the amount of interest, the options that all of a sudden was there for me and the options that came along, I was a little bit astonished,” he was quoted as saying.
“It was four games and I managed a full season at PSV, was able to win the cup and the charity shield, I have been in coaching, in the (under-)19s and the national team (with the Netherlands) and it never got this reaction from the football world.
“It provoked these reactions and I was only happy with that. And to get in conversations with different parties and be able to make a decision which felt really good for me and I am happy to be here.
So many offers
“It was a good period, short and intense, but I was happy to help get the club back, steady the ship I called it, for the four games. Now they are on a run of good results on top of those four games, so that is great to see.
“I really enjoyed it, being responsible, creating a connection with the team, with the supporters and turning the momentum for the club for a little bit.”
Van Nistelrooy will have a very difficult job on his hands with the Foxes just a point above the drop zone after 13 games with a difficult game coming up against West Ham on Tuesday.
But he certainly has the skillset to guide Leicester to safety this season with their board feeling the players will take to him just as United stars did.
Van Nistelrooy will have the chance to send a message to INEOS and Amorim should he do well at the King Power Stadium. He already has his eyes on a triple raid on his former club to start things off as manager.
Feature image Michael Regan via Getty Images
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Ayantan Chowdhury
Ayantan has worked for 10 years in the Indian sports media industry, writing for the biggest newspapers and websites but his heart was always set on writing about his favourite club. Currently an editor at The Peoples Person. You can follow him on X: @ayantanc_25
