Ruud van Nistelrooy has lost a relegation battle but he could still win Manchester United’s manager of the year award. At least if Ruben Amorim does not bring silverware in the Europa League, anyway, because Van Nistelrooy’s record at Old Trafford – three wins from four, unbeaten – stands out in a year of underachievement. So does his record at Leicester, though in another respect: Van Nistelrooy averaged two points per game at United, a mere 0.4 with Leicester.
A strange season for him has been a dreadful one for Leicester. Relegation went from probability to inevitability, the respectability of their performance against Liverpool, as their fate was sealed, coming amid a wretched run of form. He hinted he wants to stay – Foxes never quit, after all – and may need to, his reputation sufficiently dented by the last five months that few others may be in a rush to appoint him but it would seem implausible if, when he holds talks with the club, they are keen to keep him.
