Although they defeated us with an illegal goal but I have an advise for Ruben, he must not bench those two guys again if he really want to succeed”: Leicester City coach Ruud van Nistelrooy has advised Ruben Amorim to stop benching TWO players who was terrific against his team yesterday.

Ruud van Nistelrooy’s Honest Advice to Ruben Amorim After Controversial FA Cup Defeat

Leicester City head coach Ruud van Nistelrooy did not hold back in his post-match press conference following his team’s dramatic FA Cup exit at the hands of Manchester United. While the former Red Devils striker was visibly frustrated with the controversial nature of United’s winning goal, he also took a moment to offer some constructive advice to United’s manager, Ruben Amorim.

Van Nistelrooy urged Amorim to make two key players—Alejandro Garnacho and Joshua Zirkzee—permanent starters, emphasizing their game-changing impact during the match. His comments came after a night filled with drama, tactical battles, and an ending that left Leicester feeling hard done by.

A Game Marred by Controversy

The FA Cup fourth-round clash between Leicester City and Manchester United at Old Trafford was nothing short of thrilling. Leicester took the lead in the 42nd minute thanks to a composed finish from Bobby De Cordova-Reid. United, struggling to find their footing in the first half, came out with renewed energy after halftime.

The equalizer arrived in the 68th minute through Joshua Zirkzee, a player who was brought on as a substitute. Zirkzee’s presence changed the momentum of the game, as he combined well with Garnacho and Bruno Fernandes to put Leicester under sustained pressure.

Then, in stoppage time, the game reached its boiling point. Harry Maguire scored the winner from a set-piece, but replays suggested he was in an offside position. Without VAR in place for this stage of the FA Cup, the goal stood, sparking immediate outrage from the Leicester bench.

Van Nistelrooy’s Furious Reaction

Speaking after the match, van Nistelrooy did not hide his frustration:

“It’s disappointing because my players fought hard, and they deserved a fair outcome. The winning goal was offside—it’s clear for everyone to see. It’s not ‘Fergie Time,’ it’s ‘Offside Time.’ This is unacceptable at this level.”

Despite his anger over the officiating, van Nistelrooy shifted his focus to two players who, in his opinion, were the true difference-makers in United’s performance: Alejandro Garnacho and Joshua Zirkzee.

Praise for Garnacho and Zirkzee

Van Nistelrooy singled out Garnacho and Zirkzee as players who completely changed the dynamic of the match.

“Although they defeated us with an illegal goal, I have an advice for Ruben. He must not bench those two guys again if he really wants to succeed. Garnacho and Zirkzee were terrific today. They brought intensity, creativity, and the hunger that was missing in the first half. United looked like a different team when they came on.”

Garnacho, known for his fearless dribbling and pace, was instrumental in stretching Leicester’s defense, creating opportunities that troubled their backline. Meanwhile, Zirkzee, who has often been used as a substitute this season, showed his ability to hold up play, link with teammates, and make decisive runs into dangerous areas.

Should Amorim Listen?

Ruben Amorim has made a habit of rotating his squad, often benching key attacking talents in favor of tactical adjustments. However, after van Nistelrooy’s comments, United fans may begin to question whether Amorim is making the right choices.

Garnacho’s performances this season have been electric, yet he hasn’t always been a guaranteed starter. His work rate and direct approach add an unpredictability to United’s attack, something that was clearly missing in the first half against Leicester.

As for Zirkzee, his size, technical ability, and eye for goal make him an ideal option in United’s frontline, especially when Rasmus Højlund needs rest or struggles to impact the game. His
hold-up play and link-up ability were on full display against Leicester, and his goal was a testament to his sharp instincts inside the box. Van Nistelrooy’s comments suggest that Amorim might be underutilizing both players, and given their impact, it’s a valid argument.

If Amorim wants to build a dynamic and consistent attack, making Garnacho and Zirkzee regular starters could be a logical move. Garnacho’s pace and directness combined with Zirkzee’s technical ability and physical presence could complement Bruno Fernandes and Højlund perfectly.

Do you think Amorim will take Van Nistelrooy’s advice seriously, or will he stick to his rotation policy?