Ruud van Nistelrooy warns three Manchester United players need to be managed carefully

Ruud van Nistelrooy believes Manchester United must be careful with how they manage the minutes of Diogo Dalot, Casemiro and Alejandro Garnacho after their extensive runs in the first-team squad this season.

United made three changes as they defeated Leicester City 3-0 at Old Trafford on Sunday afternoon, a result that ensured Van Nistelrooy finished his interim spell as head coach undefeated. Marcus Rashford replaced Garnacho in the starting line up, though the Argentine was introduced early into the second-half to replace him, while Jonny Evans came on for Dalot and Christian Eriksen for Casemiro.

Dalot has played the most minutes of any United player so far this season, while Garnacho has played the seventh-most and Casemiro the eighth.

Speaking after his final game as interim, Van Nistelrooy was asked why he decided to replace both Dalot and Rashford so early into the second-half. "The timing was that I felt it was necessary in today's game to make those changes," he told reporters after the win over Leicester.

"You could also see the players who have played so many minutes in so many games because of the thin squad they need also replacing to keep them fit and healthy and there are other players in the squad who are back, Jonny Evans, fantastic. Lisandro going to left-back. I spoke to Alejandro before the game, you are playing so many games, I want you fresh from the bench. It was good to have many more players on board like Christian Eriksen who came on for Casemiro, another who has played so much."