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There is a good chance that assistant coach Ruud van Nistelrooy will part ways with Manchester United once Ruben Amorim’s appointment gets over the line.
Following the sacking of Erik ten Hag, the club confirmed that Van Nistelrooy will step in on an interim basis while the search for a more permanent replacement goes on.
Van Nistelrooy arrived in the summer as part of INEOS’ coaching reshuffle, following an extremely poor 2023/24 that saw United finish in eighth position in the Premier League.
He has proven to be a very popular figure with fans and the players. Multiple United forwards including Joshua Zirzee, Rasmus Hojlund and loanee Joe Hugill have spoken of Van Nistelrooy’s great impact on the training ground.
However, as United close in on officially sealing a deal for Ruben Amorim, The Telegraph states that this may spell the end of Van Nistelrooy’s very brief coaching tenure at Old Trafford.
Earlier today, Sporting Lisbon released a statement confirming United had expressed interest in triggering Amorim’s release clause. Fabrizio Romano gave his “here we go”, indicating that the Portuguese tactician is all but set to become the next United manager.
According to The Telegraph, Van Nistelrooy expects to leave once Amorim officially arrives.
“It is understood that Van Nistelrooy accepts that he will not be considered [for the permanent managerial position] and it appears that, if United can close the deal with Amorim, the 48-year-old will not be given any time to prove himself anyway.”
“From the moment Van Nistelrooy arrived in the summer United had a ready-made replacement – however temporary – to step in should they decide to dismiss Ten Hag. That replacement was not in place last season when Steve McClaren was the assistant although sources have also claimed that Van Nistelrooy is uncomfortable with the notion that he was brought in under this basis.”
“In fact it has even been suggested he expects to leave once a new head coach is employed. It was never in his thinking that he was a manager-in-waiting.”
Jason Burt explains that the next few days and weeks will be pivotal in understanding what happens with Van Nistelrooy.
United return to Carabao Cup action tomorrow when they host Leicester City.
Featured image Eddie Keogh via Getty Images