Five Man United legends predict Ruud van Nistelrooy's future after Ruben Amorim arrival

Ruben Amorim finally joins Manchester United on Monday, and what that means for Ruud van Nistelrooy's future at the club still remains unclear.

United are yet to officially announce the club's new coaching staff set-up despite the expectation that Sporting first-team coaches Adelio Candido, Carlos Fernandes, and Emanuel Ferro, goalkeeper coach Jorge Vital, and sports scientist Paulo Barreira will also be leaving Lisbon for Manchester. However, the club already have several staff members under contract.

That includes a set-piece coach in Andreas Georgson, a goalkeeper coach in Jelle ten Rouwelaar, a first-team coach in Darren Fletcher and an assistant manager in Rene Hake. Van Nistelrooy joins those four as being under contract until the end of next season.

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There are now understandable questions about whether the current interim head coach will revert to his contracted assistant manager role once Amorim arrives, or whether he departs completely. Several former United players-turned-pundits have shared their opinions on whether the club should keep Van Nistelrooy, and here is a round-up of their views on the situation.

Rio Ferdinand

Reacting to Amorim's announcement in a video on his 'Rio Ferdinand Presents' that asks, 'What Does This Mean For Ruud?', the former United defender said:

"I look at Ruud as well, and I think, is he going to be the one? Is he going to want to stay, for one? And would a new man coming in want him to stay? I think yes on both.

"Ruud knows the fabric at the place; he knows what's needed. He knows what's needed to be healthy and successful at Manchester United because he's been there, seen and played it.

"I think he'll be integral, I think he'll be a huge help, and I think he's a type of human that would help rather than hinder the new incoming guy."

Roy Keane

Speaking on Sky Sports during the post-match coverage of United's 1-1 draw with Chelsea in the Premier League, Keane said: "It's difficult when a new manager comes in. If he's bringing a lot of his own staff, maybe there won't be a place for Ruud, and maybe Ruud would be better then stepping back because it's not easy. If he feels any loyalty to [Erik] Ten Hag, I always feel it's difficult to stay on."

Keane also acknowledged: "If Amorim comes in and says, 'You know what, I want to keep you, Ruud, as one of my assistants,' he can't then turn around and say no."

Gary Pallister

Talking to luckyblock.com, Pallister said: "My advice to Ruben Amorim would be to keep Ruud van Nistelrooy in the setup as it could be beneficial to him. He understands the club and knows the ins and outs of it really well, so he’ll have the knowledge that other coaches coming in from the outside won’t. The fans love him too – you can tell that by the way they reacted to him becoming interim manager.

"Ultimately, it’s down to Amorim, though. If he feels that he needs a clean cut and that it should just be his staff, then that’s his decision. Having said that, I think it would be a good thing to have somebody who really understands Manchester United and Old Trafford."

Paul Scholes

Speaking on TNT Sports after Van Nistelrooy's penultimate match as interim head coach against PAOK in the Europa League, Scholes said: "I think he should be a manager; he just looks like he is made to be a manager to me. I don't think he should be anybody's, not puppet, but I think he is better than an assistant manager."

Jaap Stam

Talking to the Metro courtesy of BetMGM, Stam said: "A man like Ruud, coming in as the legend he is, he needs to have a certain position within the club, where people look up to him and one where he can make a difference.

"Amorin will probably want to bring in his own assistants, people he has worked with over the years. If that happens, is Ruud becoming just another assistant, one of the coaches?

"Is that the right position for Ruud? I don't think so; I would find that hard to believe because Ruud has more in his locker than being just one of the coaches for Manchester United."