'Now we can start creating' - what Man United fans can expect from a Ruud van Nistelrooy side

Manchester United begin a new era on Wednesday night.

The sacking of Erik ten Hag this week after a dismal start to the season means United are seeking their sixth permanent manager since the departure of Sir Alex Ferguson more than a decade ago. There have been four interims in that time, with Ruud van Nistelrooy the latest.

His reign will begin at Old Trafford in the Carabao Cup with Leicester City the visitors. The United hero is guaranteed a positive reception given his playing career with the Reds and the need for an uptick in results following the slow death of the Ten Hag era.

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It remains to be seen how long Van Nistelrooy will be in charge but everyone at United will be hoping for a new manager bounce as they chase results in three competitions over the next week or so.

Van Nistelrooy's managerial experience extends to one season in charge at PSV Eindhoven in the Netherlands but his coaching credentials stretch back a decade across club and international football. He is far from a rookie and his four months inside Old Trafford on the staff will have provided him with necessary knowledge on how to best get a tune out of a misfiring squad.

His sole season at PSV saw him claim two trophies and record wins over current Premier League managers Mikel Arteta (in the Europa League) and Arne Slot while finishing second to the latter's Feyenoord side. And he has a clear playing style that he likes his side to follow, a criticism that was regularly and justifiably aimed at Ten Hag during his two-and-a-half-year tenure.

Speaking on The Overlap last season, Van Nistelrooy said: “I know this instinctive feeling that, when I coach a team, I like to see the ball in my team. When we have the ball, I’m like yes, now we can start playing, now we can start creating.

"I have a feeling that we have the ball and I like us to attack. We prepare possession to a certain moment where you’re going to hurt the opponent. That’s the reason to play possession.

"In that sense, I’m looking for the moment to speed up the attack, or go for goal, or set off another pass. That’s when I really start to tick on the sideline."

And it's not just on the pitch that Van Nistelrooy will hope to make an impact, with his off-pitch credentials and attitude also likely to be key in turning the tide at Old Trafford. The Dutchman will be using his former manager Sir Alex Ferguson as man-management inspiration.

"As a player, the most important thing I took from working with Sir Bobby Robson and Sir Alex Ferguson was their relationships with the individual," Van Nistelrooy said. "It’s not a football player; it’s a person. When you reach that connection, you get the best out of people – and from there on you can help them build their careers. I never let that thought go out of my mind.

"Sometimes you have to be tough on them and sometimes you have to get your arm around them. That mixture is important, but the most important thing is to always be honest and straight. When you have knowledge about the game and what is necessary at the highest level, you must share it."