Man Utd 3-0 Leicester: Player ratings as Van Nistelrooy bows out with routine victory

Ruud van Nistelrooy's spell as Manchester United interim manager ended with victory on Sunday afternoon as the Red Devils beat Leicester City 3-0 in the Premier League.

Incoming head coach Ruben Amorim will take over a side that has now won three of their last four outings, with Bruno Fernandes' strike and Victor Kristiansen's unfortunate own goal putting United in a commanding half-time position.

Alejandro Garnacho provided the only moment of quality in a tepid second half, securing all three points for the Red Devils with a wonderful strike.

How the game unfolded

United's recent 5-2 Carabao Cup victory over an admittedly much-changed Leicester side will have buoyed an expectant Old Trafford crowd and the home supporters certainly enjoyed what they saw in the 17th minute. An excellent back-heel from midweek hero Amad Diallo found skipper Fernandes, who curled home a precise effort from the edge of the area to put the hosts ahead.

Even without the injured Jamie Vardy, the visitors looked threatening on the counter-attack. Abdul Fatawu was particularly lively as he wrestled with Diogo Dalot but it was Wilfed Ndidi who had Leicester's first clear-cut opening, breaking free through the centre and testing the onrushing Andre Onana with a tame shot.

However, hopes of a Leicester equaliser were dashed six minutes prior to the half-time whistle. A huge slick of luck benefitted Van Nistelrooy's side after Noussair Mazraoui's cross was miscued by Fernandes eight yards out. The ball then ricocheted off the covering Kristiansen at the far post and flew beyond Mads Hermansen.

The energetic Amad almost killed the contest in first-half stoppage time, weaving beyond several Leicester defenders before lashing a strike goalward. Hermansen was helpless for United's first-half goals but made a strong save with his outstretched leg to deny the Ivorian a third.

A fairly low-key affair was taken down a few further notches after half-time. The odd foray forward from the visitors was handled comfortably by United, who themselves took the sting out of proceedings by recycling possession rather than going for the kill.

Jordan Ayew did his best to set up a nervy finish on one of Leicester's increasingly rare breaks. The Ghanaian swivelled just inside the United box and fired a powerful drive towards Onana's near post, but the United stopper tipped the effort wide.

But with their first meaningful moment of the second half, United did provide a clinching third. Fernandes found substitute Garnacho on the edge of the penalty area and the Argentine cut inside before whipping an exceptional curler into the far top corner from the edge of the area.

Leicester were unable to manage a consolation as United saw out a straightforward victory to boost confidence ahead of Amorim's first match after the November international break.

Man Utd player ratings (4-2-3-1)

GK: Andre Onana - 6/10 - Occasionally forced into a straightforward save but spent much of the game twiddling his thumbs.

RB: Diogo Dalot - 5/10 - Given a tough ride by Fatawu, whom he couldn't handle at all. Hooked before the hour mark as Van Nistelrooy looked to remedy the issue.

CB: Matthijs de Ligt - 7/10 - Handled Jordan Ayew relatively well but was rarely forced into action on what was a simple afternoon.

CB: Lisandro Martinez - 7/10 - Victorious in many of his individual duels but, much like his centre-back partner, he had little strenuous defensive work to complete.

LB: Noussair Mazraoui - 7/10 - A teasing cross forced United's second and the Moroccan was always a threat on the overlap.

DM: Casemiro - 7/10 - After sparkling in the Carabao Cup win over Leicester, this was another strong showing from the Brazilian. While not able to repeat his goalscoring heroics, he guarded his back four effectively throughout - even if it was sometimes via a tactical foul.

DM: Manuel Ugarte - 7/10 - Regularly intervened in the engine room to stifle Leicester attacks and was confident in possession.

RW: Amad Diallo - 8/10 - Often United's most promising threat in the final third to build on an exceptional display against PAOK. Set up the opener with a neat flick and was a constant menace by the touchline.

AM: Bruno Fernandes - 8/10 - The goals won't stop coming for United's reinvigorated captain, who set his side up for victory with an inch-perfect finish. Involved in the second and third goals, too.

LW: Marcus Rashford - 5/10 - Another disappointing display from the out-of-sorts England international. Unpolished on the ball and rarely tested James Justin.

ST: Rasmus Hojlund - 5/10 - Barely had a kick and couldn't win the physical battle with Wout Faes. An underwhelming and muted outing.

Substitutes

SUB: Alejandro Garnacho (58' for Rashford) - 7/10 - Put the game beyond any doubt with a brilliant effort which made it 3-0.

SUB: Jonny Evans (58' for Dalot) - 6/10

SUB: Joshua Zirkzee (75' for Hojlund) - 6/10

SUB: Christian Eriksen (78' for Casemiro) - 7/10

Subs not used: Altay Bayindir (GK), Tom Heaton (GK), Victor Lindelof, Mason Mount, Antony.

Manager

Ruud van Nistelrooy - 7/10 - Impressive control from his side on his final bow in the Old Trafford hot seat. He's steadied the ship ready for Amorim's arrival.

Leicester player ratings (4-2-3-1)

GK: Mads Hermansen - 6/10 - A second Premier League clean sheet of the season continues to evade him. Helpless for United's efforts.

RB: James Justin - 5/10 - Kept Rashford quiet during the first hour but allowed Garnacho to cut inside far too easily as United grabbed a third.

CB: Wout Faes - 6/10 - Won plenty of battles up against the ineffective Hojlund and wasn't responsible for any of United's strikes.

CB: Jannik Vestergaard - 5/10 - While not a commanding display from the towering defender, he did put his body about when required.

LB: Victor Kristiansen - 5/10 - While unfortunate to score an own goal, Kristiansen struggled in his battle with the indefatigable Amad. He did improve as the game wore on, however.

DM: Boubakary Soumare - 5/10 - A mediocre outing from the often ignored midfielder, who did little to wow his manager on a rare start.

DM: Harry Winks - 6/10 - Screened the back four effectively and aggressively, nipping into tackles to ease the pressure.

RW: Facundo Buonanotte - 6/10 - Offered fleeting glimpses of his ingenuity but couldn't provide a decisive moment.

AM: Wilfed Ndidi - 5/10 - The most advanced member of Leicester's midfield and it was the Nigerian who scuffed his side's best moment in the first half. Struggled to influence proceedings after the break.

LW: Abdul Fatawu - 7/10 - Easily the most influential member of Leicester's forward line with his direct running and raw speed. Gave Dalot the runaround on more than one occasion.

ST: Jordan Ayew - 6/10 - Leicester's super sub was thrown into the starting lineup as Jamie Vardy missed out and was left isolated when receiving the ball.

Substitutes

SUB: Bilal El Khannous (70' for Ndidi) - 6/10

SUB: Kasey McAteer (83' for Justin) - N/A

SUB: Odsonne Edouard (88' for Ayew) - N/A

Subs not used: Danny Ward (GK), Conor Coady, Hamza Choudhury, Caleb Okoli, Oliver Skipp, Stephy Mavididi.

Manager

Steve Cooper - 5/10 - Not a disgraceful performance from his side at Old Trafford but a largely ineffective one. Looked toothless in the final third despite some promising moments.

Player of the match: Bruno Fernandes (Man Utd)

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