Leicester City’s controversial 2-1 defeat at Old Trafford overshadowed a brave performance under their new coach, who used his United insider knowledge to craft a near-perfect game plan.
Ruud van Nistelrooy’s return to Old Trafford was almost a fairytale, as his Leicester City side came agonizingly close to pulling off a stunning FA Cup fourth-round victory against Manchester United. However, a controversial last-second winner from Harry Maguire, who appeared to be in an offside position, crushed Leicester’s hopes and handed United a 2-1 win on Friday night.
The Foxes had taken the lead through Bobby De Cordova-Reid in the first half, showcasing the effectiveness of Van Nistelrooy’s tactical adjustments. But second-half goals from Joshua Zirkzee and Maguire turned the game on its head, leaving Leicester and their fans heartbroken.
Van Nistelrooy, who had previously beaten Leicester twice during his interim spell as United’s head coach earlier in the season, used his intimate knowledge of his former club to devise a game plan that pushed United to their limits. Speaking after the match, he revealed how his team’s pressing and defensive setup disrupted United’s rhythm.
“We had some different details in pressing,” he explained. “The setup was slightly different, the way we pressed on our right and left sides, forcing the ball wide. It worked because we got pressure on them and forced them to the sides. In the second half, they found solutions, like Bruno [Fernandes] dropping deep, but we handled those situations well. The communication was excellent.”
Despite the bitter disappointment of the result, Van Nistelrooy expressed pride in his team’s performance. He admitted that the emotional weight of returning to Old Trafford for the first time since his departure had been pushed aside during the match, but he allowed himself to reflect on the occasion afterward.
“I was so determined and focused to perform here as a team that I completely blanked everything out,” he said. “Driving here, I just wanted to focus on my team. Now, as things sink in, I realize it’s always special to come here. It’s a privilege, and our fans supported us in a great way.”
Leicester’s performance under Van Nistelrooy’s guidance was a testament to his growing reputation as a tactically astute coach. While the result may not have gone their way, the Foxes showed they are a team capable of competing with the best, leaving their fans with plenty of optimism for the future.
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