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I was Leicester’s scourge for Manchester United – now I’m looking to be Red Devils’ nightmare
Ruud van Nistelrooy once delivered a devastating hat-trick that sank Leicester, but time has seen him switch allegiances. The hat-trick in question sealed the Foxes’ fate in a 4-1 defeat at the Walkers Stadium, now known as the King Power, back in 2003. During his time as a player at United he scored 150 goals in totalGetty Roy Keane first opened the scoring for United, but it was Van Nistelrooy who took centre stage, netting two more before the halftime whistle blew. In the second half, he added another to his tally, completely running riot for United and leaving Leicester’s defenders trailing in his wake. His remarkable journey at Old Trafford began after a pivotal nudge from Sir Alex Ferguson‘s son, who recognised Van Nistelrooy’s talent and urged his father to make the signing. According to a 2001 interview with The Daily Telegraph, Ferguson said that his son, Darren, who was at tryouts for Eredivisie rival Heerenveen at the time, told him: “You’ve got to sign Van Nistelrooy right away, he’s fantastic. We’ve been watching him.” Ferguson wasted no time, dispatching club representatives to PSV’s next league fixture and securing Van Nistelrooy within a day. During his time as a player at United, he made 291 appearances and scored 150 goals in total, a true goal-scoring machine. He claimed the Premier League Golden Boot twice, along with the Premier League title in the 2002-03 season, the FA Cup, the Football League Cup, and the FA Community Shield. Despite his talent in front of goal, his journey wasn’t without its challenges. A falling out with manager Sir Alex Ferguson led to his departure in 2006. The tension brewed during clashes over Van Nistelrooy’s preferred position and respect, a mismatch that simmered over time. In the lead-up to his exit, he found himself sidelined from critical matches, including the heart-wrenching 2006 League Cup final, while also facing public criticism from Ferguson regarding his attitude and commitment. A falling out with manager Sir Alex Ferguson led to Van Nistelrooy’s departureGetty A particularly fiery exchange between the two in May 2006 resulted in Van Nistelrooy being excluded from the season’s final match. Soon after, he made the move to Real Madrid for around £15 million. However, his time in Manchester, and beating Leicester, didn’t stop when he hung up his boots. In July 2024, he was appointed in a new role alongside Erik ten Hag, only to find himself propelled into the interim head coach position following the latter’s sacking on 28 October. As fate would have it, his first match fell against the very club where he had authored his legendary hat-trick – Leicester. Just two days post-appointment, he faced off against the Foxes in the EFL Cup, leading United to a glorious 5-2 victory. His brief, yet impactful, tenure concluded after four matches, with a final clash against Leicester resulting in a triumphant 3-0 league win. Ruud van Nistelrooy worked alongside Erik ten Hag until his sackingPA Though his time as interim manager was short-lived, with the arrival of new head coach Ruben Amorim, it was marked by three wins and one draw. Yet the call of management, and Leicester, meant he wasn’t out of work for long. On November 29, Van Nistelrooy stepped into the role of manager for Leicester City, embarking on a two-and-a-half-year journey set to last until June 2027. His charge began with a resounding home debut victory, beating West Ham United 3-1, making Premier League history in the process—a fitting start for the man who had once bested them on the pitch. Having already beat his new team twice during his interim spell at Manchester United, he became the first to win twice against a club and then manage them in the same season. Yet, challenges loomed large; Leicester’s recent struggles weighed heavily, prompting concerns about his potential sacking just 56 days into his reign. “I’m focused on getting this team out of the situation; that’s my only concern,” he told BBC Sport. “I’m with the players, working with everyone at Leicester to get the best out of this squad, and in difficult times. In tough times, you need to be strong, show character, work, persist, and be committed. “We are united and committed. That is the spirit, and you can see that on the pitch. I can see a team with spirit and fight. If we continue, this run will end.” Despite a disheartening streak of seven consecutive Premier League losses, the Foxes struck back with a surprising win against Tottenham. Currently, they find themselves lingering dangerously close to the bottom, holding just 17 points. Leicester are currently in the Premier League bottom three.Getty Van Nistelrooy is set to make a return to his beloved Old Trafford this Friday evening, as Leicester prepares to face the Red Devils in the FA Cup fourth round. Following
Ruud van Nistelrooy once delivered a devastating hat-trick that sank Leicester, but time has seen him switch allegiances.
The hat-trick in question sealed the Foxes’ fate in a 4-1 defeat at the Walkers Stadium, now known as the King Power, back in 2003.
Roy Keane first opened the scoring for United, but it was Van Nistelrooy who took centre stage, netting two more before the halftime whistle blew.
In the second half, he added another to his tally, completely running riot for United and leaving Leicester’s defenders trailing in his wake.
His remarkable journey at Old Trafford began after a pivotal nudge from Sir Alex Ferguson‘s son, who recognised Van Nistelrooy’s talent and urged his father to make the signing.
According to a 2001 interview with The Daily Telegraph, Ferguson said that his son, Darren, who was at tryouts for Eredivisie rival Heerenveen at the time, told him: “You’ve got to sign Van Nistelrooy right away, he’s fantastic. We’ve been watching him.”
Ferguson wasted no time, dispatching club representatives to PSV’s next league fixture and securing Van Nistelrooy within a day.
During his time as a player at United, he made 291 appearances and scored 150 goals in total, a true goal-scoring machine.
He claimed the Premier League Golden Boot twice, along with the Premier League title in the 2002-03 season, the FA Cup, the Football League Cup, and the FA Community Shield.
Despite his talent in front of goal, his journey wasn’t without its challenges. A falling out with manager Sir Alex Ferguson led to his departure in 2006.
The tension brewed during clashes over Van Nistelrooy’s preferred position and respect, a mismatch that simmered over time.
In the lead-up to his exit, he found himself sidelined from critical matches, including the heart-wrenching 2006 League Cup final, while also facing public criticism from Ferguson regarding his attitude and commitment.
A particularly fiery exchange between the two in May 2006 resulted in Van Nistelrooy being excluded from the season’s final match. Soon after, he made the move to Real Madrid for around £15 million.
However, his time in Manchester, and beating Leicester, didn’t stop when he hung up his boots.
In July 2024, he was appointed in a new role alongside Erik ten Hag, only to find himself propelled into the interim head coach position following the latter’s sacking on 28 October.
As fate would have it, his first match fell against the very club where he had authored his legendary hat-trick – Leicester.
Just two days post-appointment, he faced off against the Foxes in the EFL Cup, leading United to a glorious 5-2 victory.
His brief, yet impactful, tenure concluded after four matches, with a final clash against Leicester resulting in a triumphant 3-0 league win.
Though his time as interim manager was short-lived, with the arrival of new head coach Ruben Amorim, it was marked by three wins and one draw.
Yet the call of management, and Leicester, meant he wasn’t out of work for long.
On November 29, Van Nistelrooy stepped into the role of manager for Leicester City, embarking on a two-and-a-half-year journey set to last until June 2027.
His charge began with a resounding home debut victory, beating West Ham United 3-1, making Premier League history in the process—a fitting start for the man who had once bested them on the pitch.
Having already beat his new team twice during his interim spell at Manchester United, he became the first to win twice against a club and then manage them in the same season.
Yet, challenges loomed large; Leicester’s recent struggles weighed heavily, prompting concerns about his potential sacking just 56 days into his reign.
“I’m focused on getting this team out of the situation; that’s my only concern,” he told BBC Sport.
“I’m with the players, working with everyone at Leicester to get the best out of this squad, and in difficult times. In tough times, you need to be strong, show character, work, persist, and be committed.
“We are united and committed. That is the spirit, and you can see that on the pitch. I can see a team with spirit and fight. If we continue, this run will end.”
Despite a disheartening streak of seven consecutive Premier League losses, the Foxes struck back with a surprising win against Tottenham.
Currently, they find themselves lingering dangerously close to the bottom, holding just 17 points.
Van Nistelrooy is set to make a return to his beloved Old Trafford this Friday evening, as Leicester prepares to face the Red Devils in the FA Cup fourth round.
Following Manchester United’s disappointing 2-0 loss to Crystal Palace, Van Nistelrooy will be eager to deepen United’s struggles by claiming victory over his former club.
Kick-off is at 8pm, and you can catch all the live action on talkSPORT.
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