Manchester United 3, Leicester City 0
Ruud Van Nistelrooy completed his four match stint in charge of Manchester United with a 3-0 win over Leicester City.
Bruno Fernandes set the Reds on their way with a 17th minute strike from 20 yards out after a clever back heel by Amad Diallo.
And United were 2-0 up after 38 minutes when Noussair Mazraoui’s cross found Fernandes in space and the ball bounced off him and the Leicester defender Victor Kristiansen.
It was everything that United deserved after a bright start for Amad Diallo – in for Alejandro Garnacho – and the displaced Argentine winger staked his claim for a return to the starting lineup by scoring United’s third after coming on as a substitute.
The game was then set up for what looked like an emotional farewell for interim manager Ruud Van Nistelrooy who saluted the Stretford End after what was a routine victory.
His record as United manager will read 3 wins and a draw – with 75% win rate the highest of any Reds boss.
PLAYER RATINGS – Manchester United 3, Leicester City 0
Andre Onana: 7. Big save from Wilfred Ndidi who found himself clean through after a ball over the top. Also saved from Harry Winks and Jordan Ayew
Diogo Dalot: 6. Tough time against Abdul Fatawu.
Mathijs de Ligt: 7. Aerial dominance.
Lisandro Martinez: 6. Not overly challenged, had to go left back when Johnny Evans came on.
Noussair Mazraoui: 7. Able to raid up the left flank and his throw in started the move for the first goal before his cross also helped set up the second goal.
Casemiro: 8. Controlled midfield well and helped out in defence. Broke down towards the end of the half and had to be substituted.
Manuel Ugarte: 7. Willing midfield support, improvement on the day but still rash – gave away cheap foul that could have been costly.
Amad Diallo: 8. Showed why he earned a start on the right wing. Caused problems for Leicester down his right flank. Smart backheel set up Bruno Fernandes. Also had a late shot saved by Mads Hermansen.
Bruno Fernandes: 9. Celebrated his 250th appearance for United with his 4th goal under Ruud Van Nistelrooy. Rifled in a shot from 20 yards out after clever backheel from Amad Diallo. Forced own goal from Victor Kristiansen.
Rasmus Hojlund: 6. Few good touches but little action in front of goal as the drought continued.
Johnny Evans (for Diogo Dalot, 57): 6. Slotted in at centre back.
Alejandro Garnacho (for Marcus Rashford, 57): 7. Slipped in the turf in front of the Stretford End trying to get a shot in and got unceremoniously stood on by Wout Faes. Scored late third.
Joshua Zirkzee (on for Rasmus Hojlund, 75): 6. Little impact.
Christian Eriksen (on for Casemiro, 78): No time to mark.
TEAM NEWS – Manchester United 3, Leicester City 0
Only one change from the side that beat PAOK on Thursday as match winner Amad Diallo displaced misfiring Alejandro Garnacho
GOALS – Manchester United 3, Leicester City 0
Man Utd 1, Leicester City 0: 17. Bruno Fernandes was in plenty of space after receiving a disguised Amad Diallo backheel from Noussair Mazraoui’s throw-in. And he rifled in a low shot from 20 yards out.
Man Utd 2, Leicester City 0: 38. Bruno Fernandes attacked the ball and his chance came off Victor Kristiansen and doubled the United lead after the Reds captain was first to meet Noussair Mazraoui’s cross from the right.
Man Utd 3, Leicester City 90: 82. Alejandro Garnacho smashed in a curling fine shot from 20 yards out after cutting inside from the left following a United counter attack finished off by a Bruno Fernandes through ball.
MATCH STATS – Manchester United 3, Leicester City 0
Man Utd: Onana, Dalot (Evans 57), de Ligt, Lisandro Martinez, Mazraoui, Casemiro (Eriksen 78), Ugarte, Amad, Fernandes (C), Rashford (Garnacho 57), Hojlund (Zirkzee 75)
Man Utd Subs not used: Bayindir, Heaton, Lindelof, Mount, Antony
Goal: Fernandes 17; Kristiansen 38 og; Garnacho 82
Leicester City: Hermansen, Justin (McAteer 83), Faes, Vestergaard, Kristiansen, Soumare, Ndidi (El Khannouss 70), Winks (C), Fatawu, Buonanotte, Ayew (Edouard 88)
Leicester City Subs not used: Ward, Coady, Okoli, Mavididi, Choudhury, Skipp
Bookings: Buonanotte 64 (foul on Lisandro Martinez)
Referee: Peter Bankes
Attendance: 73,829