Ruud van Nistelrooy is preparing for a return to Old Trafford as his Leicester City side faces Manchester United in the FA Cup fourth round. However, the Dutchman has brushed off former teammate Gary Neville’s scathing assessment of United’s recent form under Ruben Amorim.
Since taking charge in November, Amorim has struggled to find consistency, managing only nine wins in 19 matches. United seemed to be turning things around with three consecutive victories but suffered a shocking 2-0 home defeat to Crystal Palace last weekend.
That loss left them languishing in 13th place in the Premier League, adding pressure ahead of their FA Cup clash with Leicester. Neville, never one to hold back, criticized United’s decline under Amorim, stating on The Gary Neville Podcast:
“I thought Amorim’s arrival would bring energy, a fresh system, and a bounce. Instead, things have gotten significantly worse, which is surprising. They’re sticking with him, but continued losses make it harder for the players to believe in his philosophy.”
He warned that United’s struggles could take a toll on player morale:
“If they keep losing, confidence in the manager’s approach will fade. Amorim has already lost more games at United than he did in his last 75 matches at Sporting Lisbon. It’s a worrying trend.”
When asked about Neville’s remarks in his pre-match press conference, Van Nistelrooy, who briefly managed United on an interim basis, simply grinned and said:
“I’m glad I don’t have to analyze Manchester United’s squad right now. My focus is on Leicester. Of course, we assess them, identify opportunities, and prepare accordingly, but my main priority is my own team.”
Leicester is coming off a heavy 4-0 defeat to Everton, a stark contrast to their impressive win against Tottenham in the previous match. Van Nistelrooy admitted the loss was unexpected and disappointing but remained optimistic:
“Football is unpredictable. You can win after a poor run or lose after a great one. Facing Manchester United at Old Trafford is always tough, but we’re determined to put in a strong performance.”
As Leicester looks to bounce back and United tries to steady the ship under Amorim, the FA Cup clash promises to be an intriguing battle.