Van Nistelrooy wants to stay at United now that a new manager has been named

Interim Manchester United manager Ruud van Nistelrooy said he would like to stay on as part of the club’s new management system once Erik ten Hag’s official replacement is hired.
The former United striker got his team off to a good start after Ten Hag’s departure with a fun 5-2 League Cup win over Leicester City on Wednesday.

“I came in as an assistant to help the club and now in this role I’m helping as long as I’m needed and in the future in any capacity,” he said.

The former United and Netherlands scorer said, “I’m here to help, I’m here to serve, I’m here to give my everything for the club in any way. There are so many people around me who want the best for the club, and that will never change.”

United was 14th in the Premier League when Ten Hag was fired, and Van Nistelrooy’s first game as manager was memorable. Captain Bruno Fernandes and Casemiro both scored two goals, including a brilliant 25-yard strike from Casemiro that made Van Nistelrooy pump his fists in joy.

“When you see these moments and you can share them with the players on the pitch and the crowd, it releases good feelings, and that’s what you saw I think,” the acting manager said.

He felt good for the Brazilian player, who got harsh abuse after Spurs lost 3-0 at home to Liverpool this season and had to be taken off at halftime.

“I was delighted for Casemiro, the way he’s been training and helping the team and the club, he’s such an example, also to see the crowd’s reaction, they also know what he’s about,” he said.

“Of course, going through difficult moments, the Liverpool game, a lot of criticism, it’s so hard, it’s not fair, he didn’t deserve that, if you see him train and prepare for games, he’s an example for us, and that was part of my celebration also.”

After the game, the fans at Old Trafford sang Van Nistelrooy’s name. The Dutchman said it had been hard since his countryman Ten Hag was fired.

“The days leading up to this were with mixed feelings, sad to see Erik go, he was the one who got me here, and in our first conversation the passion he showed for the club, that’s where we got connected, and it was sad to see him leave,” he added.

Reports say that Sporting Lisbon’s Ruben Amorim will stay with his club until after the next international break, even though United are likely to hire him as their new boss.

That means Van Nistelrooy will be in charge when United play Chelsea at Old Trafford on Sunday to start their Premier League season again.

In the quarterfinals of the League Cup, United will go to Tottenham Hotspur.