As Ruud van Nistelrooy prepares for his first match as Manchester United’s interim manager, history suggests he could be set for a winning start.
The former United striker is stepping in as interim boss to replace Erik ten Hag, who was sacked on Monday.
A Carabao Cup tie against Leicester City could prove to be his only match in charge, as reports suggest Sporting CP’s Ruben Amorim is close to agreeing a deal to take over.
Manchester United managers have made a habit of starting their careers on a high note since Sir Alex Ferguson’s departure: only two of the Red Devils’ last eight head coaches have failed to win on debut.
Most recent among these is Van Nistelrooy’s fellow countryman ten Hag, who lost at home to Brighton after taking over in 2022.
The only other manager of the post-Ferguson era to have lost on debut is another Dutchman, Louis van Gaal, who opened his Premier League career with a loss to Swansea City at Old Trafford.
Before Van Gaal, the last United manager to start his career with a loss was Ferguson himself, who lost 2-0 to Oxford United just two days after he took over in 1986.
To beat Leicester would see him become the first Dutch manager to win on debut with United, but would also be crucial to righting the ship at Old Trafford and preparing a platform from which his permanent replacement can build on.
Currently languishing in 14th place in the Premier League and 21st in the Europa League, the team which was once the crown jewel of English football are a shadow of their former selves, and a new manager bounce could well be the answer to re-energising a floundering squad and re-engaging frustrated supporters.
