1
Manchester United’s first game under Ruud van Nistelrooy resulted in a comprehensive 5-2 win over Leicester City with the Red Devils securing progress to the Carabao Cup quarterfinals.
The 20-time English league champions had struggled to find the back of the net under former manager Erik ten Hag but on Wednesday, they played with freedom and scored five goals for the first time against a Premier League opposition in the last three years.
Sunday’s defeat to West Ham, which finally sealed the former Ajax coach’s fate, saw an incredible miss from Diogo Dalot but the Portuguese made amends against the Foxes and grabbed the assist for the home side’s second.
The full-back spoke about the former manager and admitted that it was because of him that the 25-year-old is at the club after he was close to being sold under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.
Dalot on EtH
“It is [sad], and we felt it the day afterwards. Ten Hag was a man that breathes football 100 per cent. This is what he loves the most,” the Portuguese told Sky Sports after the cup game.
“But this is football. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn’t. We just wish him all the best, thank him for everything he did for us.
Diogo Dalot on Erik ten Hag and Ruben Amorim pic.twitter.com/2JScDuMfdY
— Melissa Reddy (@MelissaReddy_) October 31, 2024
“He helped me a lot. He helped me bring through at this club and gave me all the confidence that I needed to show I can play for this club. And we won trophies together. We keep good memories.”
The Portugal international was also asked about the impending arrival of compatriot Ruben Amorim from Sporting Lisbon and he admitted that the players had heard about the rumours.
The right-back termed Amorim as a “good manager” and said that the players were ready to help the club climb back under the table under the new coach.
On Amorim
“Obviously he is a good manager. We don’t know if he’s coming or not, we see the rumours like everybody. But we will focus on what we have here, doing our job. What the future brings, we’ll be ready.”
Amorim’s arrival has been delayed and he will only join during the international break with the game against Ipswich Town set to be his first official match as manager.
Till then Van Nistelrooy is in charge and he will look to carry the winning momentum into the league with a huge game against Chelsea up next.
As far as his future is concerned, the former Dutch striker is keen to stay at the club and Amorim has also indicated his willingness to keep certain old staff with him. Rene Hake’s future does not look as rosy.
Feature image Justin Setterfield via Getty Images
