WHAT A DAY for Bruno Fernandes, and what a farewell for Ruud van Nistelrooy.

The temporary leader might be gone by the end of next week, with Ruben Amorim bringing in his own backroom team.

Van Nistelrooy wants to stay in some form, as do the fans and players, but Amorim will make the final decision.

Perhaps the Dutch goalscoring legend’s dreams to become manager at Old Trafford one day will tilt the scale.

That is not something any new employer wants to have to deal with.

To be honest, this is hardly the most secure job in world football as it stands.

The next head coach from Sporting Lisbon will be Manchester United’s sixth manager since Sir Alex Ferguson’s departure in 2013.

Aside from temporary manager Ralf Rangnick, the other three who filled in gaps were Ryan Giggs, Michael Carrick, and now Van Nistelrooy.

In these cost-cutting times under Sir Jim Ratcliffe, it’s no surprise that Carrington’s office door only says’manager’ instead of their actual names.

Ratcliffe, the club’s current part-owner, came on the pitch before kickoff to give Fernandes with a framed shirt to commemorate his 250th appearance for the club.

One assumes it was paid for by the club rather than the player.

He scored the first goal and forced the second, which was awarded as an own goal by Victor Kristiansen.

He then assisted Alejandro Garnacho for his third goal.

Fernandes has scored 83 goals and assisted 72 times since leaving Sporting Lisbon in January 2020.

Without a doubt, he is the best signing since Sir Alex retired.

To be honest, that standard is not particularly high, but he has set an example for the rest since the day he came into Old Trafford.

A soccer player wearing a red jersey with Snapsal on it.

When things go wrong here, the man with the armband is frequently the primary target after the manager. They’ve been for quite some time.

However, his contribution to this club during difficult times is undeniable.

His commitment to the badge on and off the field is immense.

Critics use his arm flapping histrionics as a stick to hit him with, yet this is because he is so concerned.

He scored in the 17th minute against struggling Leicester City.

He got a throw-in on the left from Noussair Mazraoui and, following a rapid exchange of passes with Amad Diallo, curled a shot from the edge of the area into the far bottom corner. 

Off to the corner flag in celebration; why is it always the corner flag?

The chants of ‘Bruno’ went up, and his teammates rushed to him.

A tremendous start, but as this is modern Manchester United, the opponent will always have a chance to climb back into the game.

So, in the 28th minute, Facundo Buonanotte placed Wilfred Nididi through, but Andre Onana was there to smother his attempt.

Then, when Buonanotte had a shot on goal, Mazraoui made a superb tackle and took the ball away.

 Manchester United vs Leicester match statistic poster.

The Reds were spooked, but not for long, as number two arrived in the 38th minute.

Mazraoui supplied the cross from the left, and Fernandes flicked the ball with the top of his thigh, which went in off Victor Kristiansen.

Even though it was officially ruled an own goal for the Leicester player, the captain received accolades.  

Fernandes was a threat in front of goal because Rasmus Hojlund clearly was not.

Let’s say the reception was charitable when he was ultimately caught in the 75th minute, but not as poor as that of his substitute Joshua Zirkzee.

Is this what this prestigious club has to offer in terms of strikers after spending millions over the last decade?

So Van Nistelrooy has three wins and one tie, and his name was sung loudly at the end of the game.

In his programme notes, he discussed the feelings of managing the club for such a short time.

He wrote: “I can honestly state that my feelings for you all have only gotten stronger during this time.

“From tomorrow, I will be getting behind our new head coach, Ruben Amorim, and I urge everyone who loves the club to do the same.”

Do you remember anything? Sir Alex left about 11 years ago, and David Moyes left ten months after.

A man wearing a black coat holds his fist in the air.Ruud van Nistelrooy got a standing ovation as he went down the tunnel.A man embraces a soccer player wearing the number 8 shirt.Van Nistelrooy hugged some of his players as a possible farewell.