Ruud van Nistelrooy role in Manchester United win showed they can wait for Ruben Amorim

For Ole Gunnar Solskjaer in 2018, read Ruud van Nistelrooy in 2024. A much-loved former fan favourite returns to lift the gloom at Manchester United with a free-flowing five-star performance. Ruud is at the wheel.

This time, however well the audition goes, his licence will remain temporary. Van Nistelrooy already knows that, which is why he was making the most of this demolition of a dismal Leicester City in the Carabao Cup fourth round. It's a bit early for festive references, but United's past, present and future all had an interest and an investment in proceedings.

Van Nistelrooy relished every minute of an opportunity he probably had an idea would come when he joined Erik ten Hag's backroom staff in the summer. Back in the Netherlands, Ten Hag might have launched his TV out of the window when he saw his players find the composure and good fortune in front of goal that was so lacking during the final weeks of his reign.

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Somewhere in Lisbon, Ruben Amorim would have been a more than interested observer, even if he has to continue to pledge loyalty to a club he is leaving. His Sporting farewell could drag on into the middle of November, but his focus will clearly begin shifting to Old Trafford.

He has a game on Friday to prepare for, but in this United performance he got a clear vision of what he is getting. There are flaws, but there is also plenty of talent. What he didn't see - and is unlikely to see until he officially starts work - is his favoured back three formation.

Van Nistelrooy's brief is to deliver short-term results and rebuild confidence ahead of Amorim's arrival. He is