Manchester United Legend Van Nistelrooy Honoured To Step In As Interim Manager

Ruud van Nistelrooy expressed his sadness over Erik ten Hag’s dismissal from Manchester United on Monday, but he feels honored to take on the role of interim manager for as long as needed.

Dutch coach Ten Hag was sacked on Monday with the team languishing in 14th in the Premier League standings.

Van Nistelrooy joined Ten Hag’s staff as an assistant in July and was named interim manager on Monday. He will lead the team during Wednesday’s League Cup match against Leicester City at Old Trafford.

“Erik ten Hag brought me back to Manchester United in the summer and, while I have only been part of the coaching staff here for a few months, I will always be grateful to him for giving me the opportunity, and I am saddened to see him leave,” the former Netherlands international said on the team’s website.

“When I returned in the summer as Erik’s assistant, it was because I believed that Manchester United could climb back to the levels that I knew here as a player.

“I still have that belief, but it will take time and a lot of hard work.

“Even on an interim basis, it is a great honor to manage the club I love for however long I am asked to do so. I can promise that I will continue to give my all, in whatever capacity, to try to turn around our fortunes.”

Although Van Nistelrooy was seen as a potential candidate for the permanent role, Sporting boss Ruben Amorim has become the frontrunner.

On Tuesday, Manchester United informed the Lisbon-based club that they are willing to pay the €10 million release clause.