Ruud van Nistelrooy wants to stay on at Manchester United as part of Rúben Amorim’s coaching staff, or that of whoever succeeds Erik ten Hag as the new permanent manager.
As United’s caretaker manager, Van Nistelrooy oversaw a 5-2 Carabao Cup victory against Leicester at Old Trafford on Wednesday, having been promoted from his assistant position under Ten Hag.
Amorim is expected to be appointed as Ten Hag’s successor once negotiations over truncating the Sporting head coach’s 30-day notice are resolved. Van Nistelrooy was asked if he wants to be part of any new setup.
“I’m here to help and serve and give my everything for the club in any capacity with so many people here around me that want the best for the club and that will never change,” the 48-year-old Dutchman said.
With reports in Portugal suggesting Amorim may not take over at United until the next international break because of wrangling over the notice period, Van Nistelrooy could lead the team in three more matches – in the Premier League against Chelsea, PAOK in the Europa League and Leicester back in the league, the last on Sunday week.
He is content to do so. “Of course – I came here as an assistant to help the club,” Van Nistelrooy said. “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.”
United’s win came via a double each from Casemiro and Bruno Fernandes and an Alejandro Garnacho strike, Bilal El Khannouss and Conor Coady scoring for Leicester.
Of Casemiro, Van Nistelrooy said: “I was delighted also for him, the way he’s been training and helping the team and the club, he’s such an example. You see the crowd’s reaction – they know what he’s about. Of course he’s gone through difficult moments.
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“The Liverpool game [taken off at half-time of a 3-0 defeat]: he got a lot of criticism, it’s so hard, he didn’t deserve to be blamed for that game. It’s totally not true and if you see him in training and how he prepares for games and the history and all he has achieved with five Champions Leagues he’s an example for us. That was part of my celebration also.”
