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Ruben Amorim officially started his job as Manchester United’s new head coach this week and was immediately tasked with some big decisions regarding his coaching staff.
None more so than what to do with club legend Ruud van Nistelrooy who had taken charge of the team as the interim manager after Erik ten Hag’s sacking.
The former striker had overseen three wins and a draw in his four game in charge whilst United waited for Amorim to finish his stint at Sporting Lisbon.
However, Amorim has decided to stick with his staff that have served him so well throughout his fledgling career and move Van Nistelrooy on to seek pastures new.
As reported by Give Me Sport, former United defender Rio Ferdinand has had his say on the decision and admits he is unsure whether the new head coach has made the right call.
Given Van Nistelrooy’s connection to the to club and relationship with the current playing staff, Ferdinand feels there was still a place for the Dutchman at Old Trafford.
“We’ve been sitting here waiting for a manager to connect with the players. We have one right now. Why are you going to get rid of him?” said Rio.
Ferdinand added that he believes the players have huge respect for Van Nistelrooy and their want to do well for him would have carried through, had he been kept on by Amorim.
“The players had grown to really like him, they appreciated how he informed them of different bits and pieces – tactically, individually, as a team – and there was a genuine ‘we want to do well for this guy’,” he said.
Ferdinand continued by saying knowing Van Nistelrooy personally, his “steely determination” would have only helped the new head coach but did acknowledge he may have been a “distraction” given his managerial aspirations.
No doubt Van Nistelrooy has steadied the ship and handed over the reigns with United in a much better position than they were in at the time of Ten Hag’s sacking.
Despite still lingering in the bottom half of the table, United are only four points off the top four positions and a good run over the Christmas period could dramatically change the mood around Old Trafford.
Amorim’s first game in charge looks a winnable one on paper with United travelling to newly-promoted Ipswich Town on Sunday, November 24.
Feature image Michael Regan via Getty Images