Ruud van Nistelrooy: Football can be a cruel game

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Sure! Here’s a rephrased version: Wednesday, October 30, 2024, at 11:43 PM.

Ruud van Nistelrooy acknowledged that football can be a harsh sport at times, especially after Manchester United benefited from some fortunate moments in front of the net, allowing them to easily defeat Crystal Palace in the fourth round of the Carabao Cup.

The Reds triumphed with a score of 5-2, thanks to Casemiro and Bruno Fernandes, who each scored twice, along with Alejandro Garnacho, who also contributed a goal.

It was a delightful event at Old Trafford, and van Nistelrooy obviously enjoyed the memorable night. However, he acknowledged that more clear opportunities were generated—and squandered—during the final phase of Erik ten Hag's management.

In conversation with the official broadcasters, he shared the following remarks...

In the days before this moment, I felt a swirl of emotions. Naturally, I was upset to see Erik [ten Hag] depart since he was the one who brought me to this point. His exit was tough, but he leaves the club having secured two trophies, and he can be proud of that. Then, matchday arrived, and with 75,000 fans present, their support for the team was incredible. They really rallied behind me in a way that was truly heartwarming.

UNITED WILL ALWAYS PERSIST

As the coaching team, we prepared the players for today's match, and I must say they were outstanding. The entire team deserves recognition for delivering such a strong performance, especially after facing some tough times. The day the announcement was made was hard for them and for all of us. When the manager's departure is imminent, it impacts us as staff too, so to respond to that situation and play like they did is a remarkable testament to the players' resilience. We committed to give our all for the 75,000 fans in the stadium and the millions watching from home who support United. We wanted to demonstrate our dedication to the club's progress and our determination to keep fighting, never giving up. That's what this is all about.

BRUNO CELEBRATES HIS FIRST GOAL OF THE SEASON IN FASHIONABLE FASHION

"Given his skills, we were confident that once he caught a bit of luck, the goals would start flowing for him. I'm really happy for him. He’s been guiding the team through numerous tough times, and having him here is truly wonderful."

I have to mention that during our matches against Fenerbahce and West Ham, as well as at Crystal Palace, we had many more significant chances than we did today. We were fortunate to hit the post and get a lucky deflection. Sometimes, you really need those moments to turn the game in your favor. Football can be harsh that way. As I said, we've had much better opportunities in previous matches compared to today. Hopefully, this win marks a turning point for us and we can use it to build on our success moving forward.

"We managed to score some incredible goals. The first one was a stunning shot from Casemiro. I really savored that moment because it went straight into the top corner—what a fantastic goal! He’s a wonderful player and an even better person, and we're lucky to have him on the team. Garnacho also had a great finish, thanks to Diogo Dalot’s assist. I believe the fans left feeling happy after such an enjoyable match."

"I started out as an assistant to support the club, and I’m committed to continuing in this role for as long as I’m needed. Looking ahead, I’m eager to contribute in any way I can to help the club grow and succeed. There are plenty of people around me who genuinely care about the club’s success, and that won’t change. For now, it's crucial that we concentrate on Sunday’s league match against Chelsea. As for what lies ahead, we’ll see."

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Ruud's Arrival Video

Check out the moment when van Nistelrooy was greeted with an amazing applause from the loving crowd at Old Trafford...

Wednesday, October 30, 2024, at 11:43 PM.