Ruud van Nistelrooy makes Ruben Amorim feelings clear after Erik ten Hag axe
Former Manchester United striker Ruud van Nistelrooy wants to stay at Old Trafford to work under Ruben Amorim after Erik ten Hag was sacked by Red Devils chiefs
by David McDonnell · The MirrorRuud van Nistelrooy has reiterated his desire to stay at Manchester United under new boss Ruben Amorim and help plot the club's route back to the top.
Van Nistelrooy is in interim charge of United following Erik ten Hag's sacking on Monday and began his short tenure with a 5-2 Carabao Cup win over Leicester at Old Trafford on Wednesday.
The former United striker is set to take charge for Sunday's visit of Chelsea to Old Trafford in the Premier League, but faces an uncertain future ahead of Amorim's arrival from Sporting Lisbon.
But Van Nistelrooy speaking ahead of the Chelsea game, said he wants to stay and help United in any capacity under Amorim, with the 48-year-old under contract for this season and next.
“I decided to come back here for a very important reason - that I'm here,” said Van Nistelrooy. “I came as an assistant top help the club move forward and I'm still motivated to do so in any capacity.
“I go back to my assistant contract that I have here for this season and next and I'm very motivated to stay here and help the club forward - that's my absolute goal.
“So we will see, but it's a contract situation I'm in and my desire is to help the club forward. I can speak about my side of the story and when a new manager is signing and conversations take place, we have to see how things develop.
“It's going to be a short job as an interim, that was communicated very clearly. I was happy with that, I felt I was called upon to help the club move forward in this situation.
“It was difficult that Erik had to leave, you have very mixed feelings, but the mindset has to switch quickly, because you have 75,000 fans waiting and that's what we tried to do against Leicester and the same for Sunday and then we'll see.
“I want to help, I want to do everything I can in my abilities, as many others do in this club, to fight for this club. The club is in a difficult situation, but the challenge is there, that's why I'm here. Everybody's looking at Manchester United and the situation it's in, but those of us on the ground are doing their utmost, supported by the fans.”
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Van Nistelrooy, appointed to United's coaching team by Ten Hag in the summer, said results had ultimately cost his compatriot his job.
“In the end it's also clear in football that it's the results and Erik also said that,” said Van Nistelrooy.
“In pre-season we had new staff, we were very positive, working hard to push forward, but obviously there are things you can't explain sometimes.
“I'm thinking about preparing the team for Leicester, which we did, was a diff situation we were in, to get a good result against Leicester, build, evaluate the game, focus on Chelsea Sunday and with the short term in this position and IU'm only thinking one thing for every game coming up and that's for the Chelsea game on Sunday.
“I think what's most important is getting the maximum out of these players. It's a great chance to show we can get to that level and in all the other games we're going to play until the end of May, where the club is in this moment. Everybody is convinced we have to do better than we are at the moment.”
Van Nistelrooy revealed he spoke to his former boss Sir Alex Ferguson before his first game in charge. “I spoke to him, we spoke shortly about my situation, the team and most of all he wished me luck before the game,” said Van Nistelrooy.
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