Interim manager Ruud van Nistelrooy is eager to forge a strong working relationship with incoming head coach Ruben Amorim and has pledged his support to both the new boss and Manchester United in any capacity required.
Since returning to Old Trafford as an assistant under Erik ten Hag, the club legend has stepped up as temporary boss following Ten Hag’s dismissal this past Monday.
Van Nistelrooy led the team to a thrilling 5-2 victory against Leicester in the Carabao Cup on Wednesday and secured a 1-1 draw in the Premier League clash with Chelsea on Sunday.
With Sporting’s Amorim set to take the reins in England a week on Monday and expected to bring his own people in, Van Nistelrooy remains hopeful of continuing his role within the coaching staff.
“Like I said on Wednesday, I came here to help as an assistant, as a coach and in this bit as well as an interim for a short spell,” the Dutchman remarked.
“Then, again, in any capacity willing to help, so in that sense I’m open for this future.
“We all will be backing him and helping him to get Manchester United to where we all want it to be and I think that spirit is the most important to have. It’s not about individuals, but it’s about the club.
“I look forward to getting to know him better. Obviously he’s done very well in Portugal. He’s very young, a talented coach and did well for a long time over a longer spell in Portugal.
“As I said, looking forward to keep helping the club (move) forward. That that’s my main goal.”
Van Nistelrooy has not yet had a conversation with Amorim but believes the new Portuguese tactician is joining a club that’s in a healthier state than what seems to be indicated by United’s lowest points tally after 10 matches since the 1986-87 season.
Reflecting on the teams rocky start, which mirrors this seasons early turbulence and managerial swap as Sir Alex Ferguson took over from Ron Atkinson, Van Nistelrooy remains optimistic.
“We’re early in (the season) and I think performances with the spirit that the players showed on Wednesday and today is a foundation to build on,” said Van Nistelrooy. “With this spirit and fight then football qualities will come out and will be shown.
“That’s, I think, the foundation to build on, and then there’s time to improve a lot on the ranking.”
Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca expressed satisfaction with the draw at Old Trafford but he was evidently displeased that Lisandro Martinez stayed on the pitch.
The Argentina defender narrowly avoided seeing a yellow card turn red during second-half stoppage time when VAR looked over his clumsy challenge on Cole Palmer.
“To be honest, (the referee) didn’t say nothing,” conveyed the Chelsea boss Maresca. “I just said to him that when there is no intention to go for the ball and you go for the player, for the legs, there is no doubt about the decision.”
“I just said like this, but the game was finished already. I think it’s quite clear that it is a red, yeah.”
