A Hard One To Take, Says Van Nistelrooy

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A Hard One To Take, Says Van Nistelrooy

Ruud van Nistelrooy got the reaction he wanted from his team despite the end result at Old Trafford not going in our favour.

2025-02-08T09:00+00:00

by Sam Jones

Published

08 Feb, 2025

A Hard One To Take, Says Van Nistelrooy

Ruud van Nistelrooy got the reaction he wanted from his team despite the end result at Old Trafford not going in our favour.

Sam Jones

2025-02-08T09:00+00:00

A Hard One To Take, Says Van Nistelrooy

Ruud van Nistelrooy got the reaction he wanted from his team despite the end result at Old Trafford not going in our favour.

Sam Jones

2025-02-08T09:00+00:00

A Hard One To Take, Says Van Nistelrooy

Ruud van Nistelrooy got the reaction he wanted from his team despite the end result at Old Trafford not going in our favour.

Sam Jones

2025-02-08T09:00+00:00

A Hard One To Take, Says Van Nistelrooy

Ruud van Nistelrooy got the reaction he wanted from his team despite the end result at Old Trafford not going in our favour.

Sam Jones

2025-02-08T09:00+00:00

Leicester City lose out 2-1 to Manchester United in the Emirates FA Cup
A last-gasp goal from Harry Maguire saw the Foxes exit in the fourth round
Ruud van Nistelrooy praised the players’ efforts at Old Trafford
He wants to see them take it into the upcoming Premier League games

Friday night’s 2-1 scoreline did not tell the whole story, with City taking the lead in the Emirates FA Cup Fourth Round tie courtesy of Bobby De Cordova-Reid’s goal shortly before half-time.

Joshua Zirkzee’s 68th-minute leveller restored parity in Manchester and the game looked to be heading for extra-time until former Fox Harry Maguire’s controversial stoppage-time winner saw the Red Devils into round five.

“I complimented the team for this performance,” City’s Manager revealed post-match. “They showed a lot of character, a lot of spirit. It was a very good game in the way we approached it in the pressing of the opponent and the defending in different phases of the game.

“Also on the ball, it was a very stable performance. The players did everything well. They are gutted and I am as well. Of course, that decision at the end has cost us the game 30 seconds before we go into extra-time and that’s a hard one to take.

“It was debatable whether it was a free-kick and handball. It wasn’t clear to me. Then, of course, the free-kick was excellent and it’s a strategy to play - when the opponent are offside, you solve the problem.

“Of course, we also know what kind of performance we put in and this is a decision that is out of our hands.”

Following defeat to Everton last time out, it was a much-improved display from Leicester, and there needs to be a repeat performance in the coming weeks as we return to Premier League action, van Nistelrooy said.

The Dutchman continued: “We leave the ground here, not like when we left Spurs, but similar. Everton was nowhere near. It wasn’t good enough, we said it, but we reacted and showed that we’re back in that fight that we need in the next weeks.

“In the first half, we defended higher up the pitch and were pressing. We didn’t allow United much time on the ball. Also 15 minutes after the break it was the same. After that, they came on a little bit closer to our box.

“Of course, given their qualities, you know they can create and they did. But other than that, we were constantly there.”

Wilfred Ndidi made a welcome return from injury after a lengthy spell on the sidelines, meanwhile. Absent since early December, he captained the side in Manchester, coming through the first 58 minutes unscathed to give van Nistelrooy another midfield option.

“His performance today lifted the team,” the 48-year-old added. “It’s not only the armband that he wore but it’s his leadership qualities. He demands everything from players around him and leading by example so it’s a big plus that we have him back.”

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