Ruud van Nistelrooy breaks silence on Erik ten Hag’s sacking at Man Utd with interim boss relishing chance to ‘remind everyone what this club stands for’

In his message to the club’s supporters, Van Nistelrooy admitted Ten Hag’s departure had left him “saddened” as he thanked his compatriot for giving him an opportunity to return to Old Trafford as part of the coaching setup. Little more than three months after his arrival, Van Nistelrooy will now take up Ten Hag’s old seat in the dugout.

“As I am sure everyone can imagine, I am writing these notes with a huge amount of mixed emotions,” Van Nistelrooy said in United’s official matchday programme notes. “Erik ten Hag brought me back to Manchester United in the summer and, while I have only been part of the coaching staff here for a few months, I will always be grateful to him for giving me the opportunity, and I am saddened to see him leave.

“Even on an interim basis, it is a great honour to manage the club I love for however long I am asked to do so. I can promise that I will continue to give my all, in whatever capacity, to try to turn around our fortunes.

“Despite our results, I am loving being back at Old Trafford and working with the team and staff every day. We’ve seen the squad’s potential at times this season, but clearly not often enough.

“Now is the time for everyone at the club to work together, give everything and turn this season around while we have time. From my experiences as both a player and a coach here, I can say for sure that when players, staff and supporters pull together, Manchester United can be unstoppable.”

Van Nistelrooy also insisted that United can return to the heights he enjoyed himself as a player under Sir Alex Ferguson, as he urged the club’s supporters to get behind the players.

“Every game we play is also an opportunity for us to remind everyone – ourselves included – of what this great club stands for,” he added.

“When I returned in the summer as Erik’s assistant, it was because I believe that Manchester United can climb back to the levels that I knew here as a player. I still have that belief, but it will take time and a lot of hard work.

“The first step is to restore the winning habit, starting at Old Trafford this evening. I know first-hand the positive effect that our wonderful fans can have on the team, so please get behind the players as we fight together to move a step closer to Wembley.”

Van Nistelrooy may only be in charge for one game as the Red Devils step up their pursuit of Sporting CP head coach Ruben Amorim.