This was Ruud van Nistelrooy’s first game in charge of the club after he took temporary charge following the sacking of Erik ten Hag.And the players seemed to play with much more freedom on Wednesday night as opposed to the rigid and chaotic style regularly seen under the former Ajax coach.Interestingly, both midfielders, Casemiro and Manuel Ugarte, who had their gripes with Ten Hag, shone under the lights as they sent a not-so-subtle message to their former boss.

Bruno’s first goals this seasonThe Brazilian netted a brace, while Alejandro Garnacho also got on the scoresheet but fans will be most pleased to see club captain Bruno Fernandes finally back among the goals.The Portuguese netted a brace, his first coming from a deflected free-kick while the second was an interception before he rounded the keeper to slot home.The 30-year-old was the player with the most shots without a goal this season to show for his efforts, but not anymore. And Van Nistelrooy will hope that he can now kick on in the Premier League as well.The Portugal international had 78 touches of the ball as he completed 86 percent of his passes. Most impressive was the fact that he completed four key passes.

He had two shots on target while two were blocked while one was off target while also creating one big chance for his teammates.The skipper completed two out of three dribbles while also finding a teammate with three out of four long balls.

Lot to prove for BrunoAnd as ever, Fernandes was competitive till the final whistle, winning all his aerial duels while making one tackle and completing one clearance (all stats via sofascore).The former Sporting Lisbon star has to hit the heights of previous seasons as Ruben Amorim, who is expected to take charge, does not have a natural place for him in his plans due to his tactical set-up.Fernandes has to ensure that the incoming manager has no choice but to either adapt or put in the attacking playmaker instead of someone else.With Amorim’s arrival potentially delayed, Van Nistelrooy will be counting on his captain to keep these displays up as he seeks to help the club climb back up the league table.In order to advance to the Carabao Cup quarterfinals, Manchester United defeated Leicester City 5-2 at Old Trafford on Wednesday.

After Erik ten Hag was fired, Ruud van Nistelrooy took interim leadership of the team, and this was his first game in that role.

In contrast to the strict and disorganized style of play frequently saw under the former Ajax coach, the players appeared to play with far more freedom on Wednesday night.

It’s interesting to note that Casemiro and Manuel Ugarte, two midfielders who had issues with Ten Hag, both looked great in the spotlight as they sent a blunt message to their former manager.

Bruno’s season-opening goals

Although Alejandro Garnacho and the Brazilian both scored goals, supporters will be especially happy to see club captain Bruno Fernandes return to the scoring total.

The Portuguese scored twice, the first off a deflected free kick and the second after being intercepted and then slicing past the goalie.

For his efforts this season, the 30-year-old had the most shots without a goal, but that is no longer the case. Van Nistelrooy will also be hoping to continue playing in the Premier League.

The Portugal international completed 86 percent of his passes and got 78 touches of the ball. The fact that he completed four crucial passes was the most stunning.

In addition to producing one significant opportunity for his teammates, he had two shots on goal, two blocked, and one off target.

The captain found a teammate with three of the four long balls and finished two of the three dribbles.

Bruno has a lot to prove.Fernandes, who won all of his aerial duels and made one tackle and one clearance (all data via sofascore), was competitive until the very end.

Ruben Amorim, who is anticipated to take over, does not naturally have a place for the former Sporting Lisbon star in his plans because of his tactical setup, so he must return to the heights of his previous seasons.

Fernandes must make sure the new manager is forced to change tactics or substitute the offensive playmaker with someone else.

Van Nistelrooy will be depending on his skipper to maintain these performances as he looks to help the team go back up the league table, given that Amorim’s arrival may be delayed.