Ruben Amorim must disrupt Manchester United partnership that Ruud van Nistelrooy created

Ruud van Nistelrooy oversaw four games during his time as Manchester United interim manager and won three and drew one, meaning he left with the highest win percentage of any United manager.

Van Nistelrooy faced a kind run of fixtures - all of the games were at Old Trafford - but he deserved huge credit for stopping the rot, lifting the dressing room mood and securing results.

Diogo Dalot, Casemiro, Manuel Ugarte and Bruno Fernandes were the only players who started in each game during Van Nistelrooy's interim spell but his hand was forced to an extent.

Van Nistelrooy described his options in midfield as "light" before his first game as interim boss, as Christian Eriksen and Mason Mount were only available for his final two matches in charge and Kobbie Mainoo was sidelined for all four, meaning Casemiro and Ugarte started by default.

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The Dutchman passionately defended Casemiro after the 5-2 win against Leicester and, speaking before that game, backed an improving Ugarte to become a success at the club.

When Van Nistelrooy was asked about Ugarte, he said: "I'm convinced about Manuel that he will be a great player for United. He had a very good performance yesterday and against Fenerbahce he had a good performance. I think, of course, getting players in an early conclusion, players who are here for two or three months, we should be careful with that I think.

"It's a great signing, he's a very good player, professional, he has very specific qualities in midfield when he gets in between players and recover the ball for us to get us in attacking positions. Also on the ball, very decent, so I mean he will be a very good player for this club."

Ugarte's integration to the team was delayed by Erik ten Hag and it was obvious the midfielder wasn't his preferred signing because he was overlooked in a handful of matches.

Van Nistelrooy had no choice but to play Ugarte and he took positive steps forward during that run of games, demonstrating his quality in the dominant win in the Carabao Cup.

Ugarte was off the pace in just his second start in the Premier League against Chelsea, though. Romeo Lavia and Moises Caicedo dictated the contest by running proceedings in the centre of the pitch and Ugarte didn't give the best possible account of himself alongside Casemiro.

Casemiro made the penalty happen against Chelsea but his passing was otherwise sloppy at times. Nonetheless, the Brazilian has knuckled down in recent weeks and won a starting place back in the team, which nobody predicted following his disaster display against Liverpool in September.

There have been clear signs of Ugarte and Casemiro developing an understanding and they played a crucial role in Van Nistelrooy's four games, despite essentially starting by default.

Ruben Amorim's first match in charge will come against Ipswich Town on Sunday afternoon and some fans would like Ugarte and Casemiro's partnership in midfield to continue.

They would be 'the form pick' but it would be foolish to forget Kobbie Mainoo. Van Nistelrooy said Mainoo needed "more time" when discussing his injury before the international break and the debate about who should start in midfield becomes redundant if he's not fit to feature against Ipswich, but Mainoo could go straight back into the starting side if he's given the green light.

Anyone suggesting Mainoo is facing a fight to get back into the line-up has succumb to recency bias. Mainoo didn't have the best start to the campaign, that is true, but he was playing in a flawed tactical system and clearly needed a rest after a gruelling first full season in senior football.

After Mainoo made his full Premier League debut at Goodison Park last term, he was practically involved in every game and was then called up to England's squad for Euro 2024.

Mainoo's injury could probably be seen as a blessing in disguise because it's given him time to recharge. He will be rested when he returns and a fit Mainoo is supremely talented.

He is one of the finest young midfielders in the world, United are lucky to have him and he is expected to thrive working with Amorim, who favoured young players at Sporting Lisbon.

Casemiro and Ugarte have been good but Mainoo should be given his starting role back.