Ruud van Nistelrooy takes charge of his first Premier League game.

Ruud van Nistelrooy takes charge of his first Premier League game as Manchester United’s interim manager with Chelsea visiting Old Trafford on Sunday.

What once looked like a lick-your-lips fixture for Enzo Maresca’s Blues no longer seems so appetising with the Red Devils bound to be emboldened by Erik ten Hag’s dismissal. United were ruthless on Van Nistelrooy’s managerial bow in midweek as they put five past Leicester to advance into the Carabao Cup quarter-finals.

Chelsea, meanwhile, faced up against Newcastle for the second game running but were defeated at St James’ Park having beaten the Magpies 2-1 in the league last Sunday.

Maresca’s side have made a bright enough start to the season and are considerably better off than Sunday’s opponents, who are six points.

While Ruben Amorim has been named United’s next manager following the departure of Ten Hag, the former Portugal international won’t take charge just yet as he will manage three final Sporting CP games before the November break.

There was no drastic systematic or personnel overhaul from Van Nistelrooy on Wednesday night and no big surprises are expected from the interim boss for Chelsea’s visit.

Chelsea’s ‘B team’ couldn’t get the business done at St James’ Park on Wednesday, with Maresca set to return to his preferred XI at the Theatre of Dreams.

The Blues aren’t struggling on the injury front, with Ben Chilwell potentially the only absentee excluding the ineligible Jadon Sancho, who cannot face his parent club and is also ill.