Ruud van Nistelrooy addresses Manchester United 'contract' ahead of Leicester City sign-off
Manchester United’s interim boss Ruud van Nistelrooy insists he is unsure if he will remain at Old Trafford beyond Sunday’s Premier League clash with Leicester City.
The former striker returned to Old Trafford in the summer as one of Ten Hag’s assistants and had expressed his desire to stay at the club once new head coach Ruben Amorim arrives.
The Portuguese takes charge on Monday, November 11 – the day after the Foxes face United in the Premier League. Steve Cooper's team are just two points and two places behind the Red Devils.
READ MORE:Three back but Manchester United could still be without six players for Leicester City clash
READ MORE:Angry charity worker punched man to the ground after Asda queue wait
United must, of course, face PAOK in the Europa League on Thursday evening, which will be van Nistelrooy’s penultimate game filling in for ten Hag. Asked about his short-term future he said: “I didn’t have contact so far. There’s no changes in that. I don’t know when (there will be) yet either.”
Asked what the ideal scenario would be for him, he added: “I don’t know. It’s difficult to comment on that now. I’m waiting for conversations to take place.
“In the meantime, obviously the most important for this club is getting the work done on a daily basis and in the game coming up tomorrow. It’s a European night at Old Trafford against the Greek champions, second in the league currently.
“Honestly, I have to say that I feel the responsibility to do well over the next week and that’s my job. I’m focused on that. As I said, I welcome Ruben, happy (to be) here to help and help him and that’s the situation for the moment.”
United goalkeeper Andre Onana expressed his regret at ten Hag’s departure – but insisted he and his team-mates did all they could to help the Dutchman.
“When I heard he was leaving, obviously I feel bad,” the goalkeeper said. “It’s not always easy for players to understand when a manager is leaving. But at the end of the day the club have to make a decision and we have to follow.
“Yes, I worked with him, he’s a good manager, I have a very good relationship with him. Why things didn’t work here? We didn’t win enough games, so it’s simple.
“In high level it’s not easy. Sometimes you have to pay the price. Unfortunately it was him. We did everything, the players gave everything, we worked hard, we tried out best, but it just didn’t work.”