Ruud van Nistelrooy tells Ruben Amorim exactly what he wants ahead of showdown Man Utd talks
Ruud van Nistelrooy has yet to clarify his future at Manchester United as Ruben Amorim prepares to take the reins at Old Trafford but his comments on the job are telling
by Daniel Orme · The MirrorRuud van Nistelrooy could face an awkward conversation with Ruben Amorin after admitting HE still wants to manage Manchester United.
The Dutchman has been in interim charge since the departure of Erik ten Hag. It was a swift promotion for the former striker, who only returned to Old Trafford in the summer.
His final game in charge comes this weekend against newly-promoted Leicester. Van Nistelrooy has yet to confirm whether he will be staying once Amorim arrives later this month.
But he has admitted that he still harbours ambitions of managing the Red Devils eventually in his career. Speaking in his latest pre-match press conference, he said: "I thought this through well when I came here as assistant manager.
“I knew coming to Manchester United was a special occasion and I felt I wanted to be part of this journey in the assistant role. I have clear ambitions to manage, I signed a two-year deal as an assistant, and I'm still in the same frame of mind."
Van Nistelrooy has enjoyed a bright spell at the helm. He won his opening game against Leicester, following that up with a draw against Chelsea.
The ex-striker then secured another win against PAOK on Thursday night. And Van Nistelrooy has since admitted that he has still yet to speak with the incoming United boss.
Speaking after Thursday’s win against PAOK, he said: “I’ve got to check my phone now [to see if Amorim has messaged] – we’ll see later. I think that Rúben is focusing on Braga and I focus on Leicester.
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“That’s it for now and it shows we are focused on the day-by-day job. Let him focus on Braga and I focus on Leicester and we’ll see after that. I’m only busy with one thing in my mind.
“I want [for] my last game as an interim to prepare the best I can and give the players everything. That is my absolute focus and other than that I don’t look too far ahead. It’s too important.”
Amorim is set to take control after the international break - and is expected to hold talks with Van Nistelrooy in that period. The Portuguese head coach will oversee his final game with Sporting Lisbon this weekend against Braga. His first game with the Red Devils comes against Ipswich on 24 November.
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