- Ruud van Nistelrooy risks upsetting new Man United manager Ruben Amorim
- Van Nistelrooy insists he wants to be the club’s manager in the future
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Ruud van Nistelrooy has revealed that he has ambitions to be Manchester United’s permanent manager in the future.
Van Nistelrooy, who was previously assistant coach, took over as interim coach following the dismissal of Erik ten Hag.
Ruben Amorim, who begins work at United on Monday, is facing the decision of whether to keep Van Nistelrooy as part of his coaching staff and the Dutchman’s comments could cause some tension.
Asked at his press conference if he would one day like to manage United permanently, Van Nistelrooy said: “Of course.
“I thought about it well when I made the decision to come to United as an assistant coach. I thought about it well.
Ruud van Nistelrooy has revealed his ambition to eventually manage Manchester United
Ruben Amorim, United’s star on Monday, faces decision over van Nistelrooy
“I knew that coming to Manchester United was a special occasion for me in which I felt that I wanted to be part of this journey with the club also as an assistant. I had clear ambitions to manage, I made the decision to sign a two-year contract as an assistant and I’m still in that state of mind to remain in that capacity.”
Van Nistelrooy, who scored 150 goals in 219 games during his time as a United player between 2001 and 2006, has enjoyed returning to the club.
As caretaker manager, he oversaw victories against Leicester in the Carabao Cup and PAOK in the Europa League, as well as a draw against Chelsea in the Premier League. He will take charge of his final home game against Leicester in the Premier League on Sunday.
He said: “I enjoyed it, it gave me a lot of energy, the reaction from the players was exceptional.” I think also as an assistant you are quite close to the players, the last three months I spent a lot of time with the players and I got to know them very well as human beings but also as footballers, where they are in that development and how I can help. I think that relationship is helping now.
‘We are together and we want to achieve something together so that bond is there and that is why I feel very supported. That gives a lot of energy and support, a lot of confidence and energy and so far so good.
“I think the appetite to continue growing within this club is stronger than the other (to manage United). So at this point I made a deliberate decision to take on this role for two seasons and continue from there.
“And these four games have not changed that feeling and that is why I said from the beginning what my intentions were also after my interim job.”
Van Nistelrooy has managerial experience from his time at PSV, with whom he won the KNVB Cup.
Van Nistelrooy worked as Erik ten Hag’s assistant before becoming interim coach.
Van Nistelrooy is very popular with United fans since his time at the club as a player.
United are currently 13th in the Premier League and Amorim has a lot of work to do
Amad Diallo scored twice as United secured a 2-0 win against PAOK in the Europa League.
United have struggled with ten Hags this season and there is still plenty of room for improvement as the club currently sits 13th in the Premier League.
Amorim, who has received much praise for his work at Sporting, will face huge scrutiny as he attempts to improve United’s fortunes.
The 39-year-old signed a contract with United that will run until 2027.
Since the retirement of the legendary Sir Alex Ferguson in 2013, United have made numerous managerial appointments but success in the Premier League and Champions League has eluded them.
United have also spent significant amounts of money on players, with the likes of Antony and Jadon Sancho struggling to live up to expectations.
Amad Diallo scored a brace as United won 2-0 at home to PAOK on Thursday night. United are currently 15th in the Europa League standings.
