United never scored four in the first phase under Ten Hag, as they did against Leicester.
But Van Nistelrooy was honest in confessing that they had created more and better chances at Crystal Palace, Fenerbahce and West Ham this season and did not win any of those games. From time to time, he admitted, you wish you had “a little bit of luck.”
Leicester manager Steve Cooper said he was surprised by the situation at Used Trafford: “It wasn’t what we expected. It wasn’t intimidating at all. It was good to play.”
That might be a little harsh. The United fans were behind their team and put on a performance.
Van Nistelrooy used to be obviously focused.
At first he was so involved in the game that he was halfway through Cooper’s technical phase before being guided back to his own team by fourth professional Michael Salisbury.
His first-ever Casemiro match birthday party was that of a man living in pristine truth having enjoyed so many memorable days at Used Trafford twenty years ago.
He made an effort to engage with both Marcus Rashford and Alejandro Garnacho when he replaced them during the second half. He will know better than anyone the importance of self-confidence for an attacking player.
His way of acting was usually considered one of expert joy and determination to carry out his process correctly and with the maximum effectiveness of his talent.
We have no idea of Ten Hag’s idea, nor of what Amorim invented from the victory, nor of a quarter-final trip to Tottenham, which will surely be theirs to fulfill in the midst of a later pace.
Van Nistelrooy does not understand how many more days there will be. You know though, he did it smartly on this one and he loved it.
