Ruud: It's great to share these moments

The Reds struggled for a spark in the first period at Old Trafford on Thursday night before our no.16 stepped up with a double - a fine header and delightful solo goal - to seal our first European win of the season.

With United unbeaten in our last three games, van Nistelrooy was in the dugout for what was his penultimate match in interim charge, before Ruben Amorim takes over the reins next week.

Scroll down to watch Ruud’s post-match interview with MUTV and read his thoughts speaking to the official broadcasters…

SECOND HALF WAS MUCH BETTER

"It was a pretty poor first half, if I'm being nice. The second half was way better. That was clear. Positionally, we weren't good at all in the first half, we left our positions and were taking lots of other positions that we set. In their 4-4-2, there were four midfielders for us against their two so it gave them a problem. We were too much out of position and we didn’t get the game going. We were much better at that in the second half, we created more chances and scored two goals.”

AMAD MADE THE DIFFERENCE

"He made a difference for us today, because of his goals but he was very sharp. I think in the first half, he was one of the few who was at his level. Well done to him, good game. His first goal was a good goal and a good Bruno assist. We like when we were in those spaces where Bruno was to put the ball in between the keeper and the backline - you can see the three players in the movement, it’s something we’ve worked on a lot since the beginning of the season. They are always dangerous areas to cross from and we needed this. Amad made his own goal [for the second goal], Christian [Eriksen] tried to cross it and then he came inside on his left and getting it in the far post was excellent. He won his own duel and took the shot for the goal - a good goal.”

LEAVING OUR POSITIONS DID NOT HELP THE TEAM

“I tried to say it to the whole team. If we can keep those positions, the 10s, it was Amad today from the right inside, with [Noussair] Mazraoui high up and Bruno on the other side - that’s two players who can play in these spaces. If we can get from the sixes to them, or via the sides to them, then we have everything to play for and we get Rasmus [Hojlund] with his runs. It was actually the first good attack in the game where we found him behind the pressure. The pass was a little bit short for Rasmus when he made the run and it’s exactly what we wanted to achieve. But then we left our positions so much again and it’s all goodwill but not helping the team. Not only Bruno but more players. In the second half, we stayed more in those positions and found each other easier which led to more danger.”

THREE ADDITIONS TO TEAM PLAYED WELL

"I think Victor Lindelof and Jonny Evans did really well as centre-backs and Amad had a great game. So I'm pleased with the performances - they did really well. Other players had some minutes, like Lisandro Martinez, plus Christian Eriksen and Mason Mount too, after injury. So I'm happy, overall, with all these things."

A YEAR SINCE OUR LAST EUROPEAN WIN

“Overall, I said to the lads before the game that it was a year ago since the last European win at Old Trafford. We looked at that and we couldn't believe it. The players were motivated to win at Old Trafford in Europe. It was time get that changed and turn it around, build and change. It's a big period at the club."

A FINAL GAME IN CHARGE ON SUNDAY

"For me, it was important to get results. I can only be happy with the performance that the players put in. The bit that I could do to help, I enjoy it, but Sunday is another one and I'm so focused on doing that so I'm not thinking of what is next. There will be time to do so. I'm enjoying being around this team. The connection with the players is very good with the way they are responding. It's great to share the moments on the pitch together. It's a wonderful thing and I'm happy things are working out.”

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