Leicester City manager Ruud van Nistelrooy has acknowledged the significant progress Manchester United have made under Ruben Amorim ahead of their Premier League clash on Sunday. The Dutchman believes United are in a much better place now compared to when they narrowly defeated Leicester 2-1 in the FA Cup last month.
In that FA Cup encounter, United needed a controversial offside goal in the final minute to secure victory at Old Trafford. However, Van Nistelrooy now sees a more confident and cohesive side that recently booked a spot in the Europa League quarter-finals after a dominant 3-0 win over Real Sociedad.
The former Manchester United striker highlighted the impact of Bruno Fernandes, who scored a hat-trick against Real Sociedad and netted a crucial free-kick against Arsenal. Van Nistelrooy praised Fernandes’ leadership and form, calling him a decisive figure in the team’s recent success.
Van Nistelrooy admitted that United’s performance against Arsenal and their Europa League triumph have given them momentum, making them a much tougher opponent this time around. He believes Amorim’s tactical adjustments and the team’s improved mentality have been key to their recent turnaround.
While United are enjoying a positive run, Leicester’s struggles continue. The Foxes have lost 12 of their last 13 matches and are currently six points adrift of safety in the Premier League table. Van Nistelrooy acknowledged the difficulty of their current situation but remains hopeful of a positive result.
The Leicester boss pointed to his team’s performance against Chelsea as evidence that they are capable of competing at a high level. Despite the loss, he felt his side showed character and quality, which they need to build on against United.
Van Nistelrooy emphasized the importance of securing a positive result before the international break, which could provide a much-needed confidence boost for his squad. He revealed that his team has been working hard in training to improve their defensive structure and capitalize on scoring opportunities.
As Leicester fights to avoid relegation and United aim to maintain their upward trajectory, Sunday’s clash at the King Power Stadium is set to be a crucial test for both sides.