Ruud van Nistelrooy has pledged to support Manchester United in any role needed after leading the team to a 5-2 Carabao Cup win over Leicester City as interim coach, following Erik ten Hag’s departure.
Ruud van Nistelrooy has expressed his commitment to staying at Manchester United in any role necessary after leading the team to a decisive 5-2 victory over Leicester City in the Carabao Cup.
The former United striker stepped in as interim head coach following Erik ten Hag’s dismissal on Monday, guiding the team to an emphatic win at Old Trafford.
Meanwhile, United’s search for a permanent replacement continues, with negotiations ongoing with Sporting CP to secure head coach Ruben Amorim.
United have agreed to meet Amorim’s €10 million release clause, yet contractual obligations with Sporting could delay his arrival until mid-November, leaving Van Nistelrooy likely in charge for upcoming Premier League games against Chelsea and Leicester City, as well as a Europa League clash with PAOK Thessaloniki.
Initially joining United as assistant manager to Ten Hag this summer, Van Nistelrooy’s future at the club remains uncertain.
“Of course,” Van Nistelrooy told Sky Sports. “I came here as an assistant to help the club. Now in this role, I’m helping as long as needed.
“In the future in any capacity, I’m here to help the club further to build towards the future that’s what I’m here for.
“To go back to yesterday [Tuesday], of course receiving the players and getting together for the first day after Erik [ten Hag] had to leave was a sad day to share. Mixed emotions.
“He was the one that asked me to work back here again, and in the first conversation we had I felt such a passion and care for this football club. That is why I was so sad to see him go.
“Having said that, football and life continues, and we knew that 75,000 people would be waiting for us here today, with millions more watching at home behind their screens and radios and you have to switch then as players.
“We tried to switch that button for the players, try to get the mindset going and go out tonight and give everything for the fans.”
Despite the interim nature of his position, he has committed to helping the team as long as needed. Reflecting on the transition, he emphasized the need to focus on upcoming fixtures and address the club’s struggles in the Premier League, where they currently sit in 14th place.
With a Carabao Cup quarterfinal against Tottenham Hotspur now secured, Van Nistelrooy aims to bring stability and consistency to the team as they look to recover their season.
“It is clear that this is going to be short term, so for me today was the most important day after what happened,” he said. “In such short notice we had to have things getting going and get into the quarterfinals.
“Credit to the players, they were fantastic today.
“For now, the focus is on Chelsea on Sunday, and I do not really look any further.”
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