Ruud Van Nistelrooy denied having been shocked by the lack of activity to transfer Leicester and says that they had to abudine by “restrictions”.
The foxes in difficulty were only able to bring the players during the January transfer window, defender Woyo Coulibaly arriving from Parma for 3 million pounds sterling.
Van Nistelrooy appointed teenagers Jeremy Monga, 15, and Jake Evans, 16, in his team to face Manchester United during the fourth round of the FA Cup on Friday.
Leicester, which is currently 18th in the Premier League, have PSR problems to ensure that they respect the expenditure limits, which means that they were unable to spend big sums of money.
The loan moves in January were also difficult due to rules preventing them from interior loans due to Loanees Facundo Buonanotte and Odsonne Edouard, who signed last summer.
Palace striker Edouard presented four times all season while Buonanotte has only started three times since the name of Van Nistelrooy.
“Reality is not always as you wish,” said the Dutch director. “I was part of the image and communication, so it was not surprised, the development from November to the end of January, reality has settled.
“What we have to face, the opportunity and the restrictions go hand in hand.
“The idea was that there were certain possibilities, but when the figures arrived on the table, they were different. We had to reassess, look at the possibilities in this context.
“We couldn’t get them. Simple. It is reality. We tried, but the emphasis was on impact players to strengthen the team. We did it with Coulibaly, we were able to strengthen, but other possibilities were not possible.
“I am quite pragmatic, continues, draws the best party from what we have, there are young talents.”
Leicester Select 15 and 16 years old in the FA Cup Squad
Blows, jake 💥 pic.twitter.com/3r9l1iewpj
– Leicester City (@LCFC) February 6, 2025
Van Nistelrooy’s decision to select the teenage duo Monga and Evans has raised the eyebrows, but the boss of the Foxes thinks that the Cup competition is a good chance to give young people a certain experience.
Van Nistelrooy said: “FA Cup is also fantastic to add young players to my team, a 15 -year -old child and a 16 -year -old child – they will be part of the team, on the bench tomorrow”, ” He said.
“This is an opportunity where these things can happen, opportunities for players.
“As I came, coming from the Netherlands, it is a country where you are developing players and they sign teams in the biggest leagues.
“In my time in PSV, it was great to be part of the development of Cody Gakpo, Noni Madueke, Xavi Simons, Jarrad Branthwaite, Johan Bakayoko, Ismael Saibari – it’s fantastic as a manager, working with these guys.”
Fa cup a welcome distraction
Leicester has lost eight of his last nine first League games, but can put their poor league shape on Friday during their visit to Old Trafford, before returning to the action of the League against Arsenal on weekends next.
On the fact that Friday’s shock is welcome or distraction, Van Nistelrooy said: “It is always welcome. We will do everything possible to be in our best and it is never a distraction.
“Playing in this cup is a privilege and we want to show what we are in a fantastic game outside in Old Trafford.
“These games are more than welcome. It’s a dream for each player to play there. “”
Back to Old Trafford
The former striker of United Van Nistelrooy returns to Old Trafford for the first time as an opposing manager, having supervised four games as an acting boss after the dismissal of Erik Ten Hag earlier this season.
“It’s special to go back. I have the story as a player, as an assistant, as a goalkeeper, “he added.
“I focus on my players and my team, to get the most out of it and to show what we are, in the fight and in the mind.”
