Ruud van Nistelrooy shows Man United true colours before West Ham as Erik ten Hag pressure mounts

Ruud van Nistelrooy has issued a war cry ahead of Manchester United's clash against West Ham. The Hammers will lock horns with United at the London Stadium on Sunday afternoon as both sides look to climb the Premier League table.

United head into the clash following a disappointing 1-1 draw with Fenerbahce in the Europa League, meanwhile, West Ham have enjoyed an extra few days rest after a 4-1 defeat to Tottenham Hotspur. While Ten Hag's side are unbeaten in four games across all competitions, the Dutchman still faces an uncertain future.

In fact, according to the MailOnline, United have held 'talks' with several potential new managers. The report states that the club spoke to Xavi Hernandez earlier this month after a four-man team of higher-ups, led by Omar Berrada, flew to Barcelona.

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MailOnline add Ruben Amorim and Edin Terzic are also on the club's list of potential targets, with Thomas Frank under 'strong consideration'. Despite only extending Ten Hag's contract in the summer, United have considered his position in recent weeks.

Nevertheless, Van Nistelrooy, who has been tentatively linked with taking the hot seat on an interim basis should Ten Hag depart, has shown his true colours ahead of the Hammers clash. Taking to X, formerly known as Twitter, the former PSV Eindhoven boss has referenced one of the club's most popular chants in his first post since August.

"We are @ManUtd and we’re never gonna stop [praying emojis]," he wrote. The quote, of course, comes from the famous United song which goes: "We've seen it all, we've won the lot, we're Man United and we're never going to stop! Ole ole, ole ola, ole ole ole ole ola..."

Speaking to reporters ahead of the West Ham clash, Ten Hag also looked to raise spirits, painting his side as underdogs amid an injury crisis. He said: "You see this team is determined. They put in two tough away games, in Porto and today again.

"This team has character, and this team shows fighting spirit and determination to win games," added Ten Hag before addressing the number of absentees. "That holds us back in our levels and also in our position in the league because when you don't have the players available, you can't line up the best team and that is what's holding us back in this moment.

"We need more players often available, and then we have to work altogether on this point. That is the players, the coaching staff, all the other staff. We have to do better and to get more available players because we know when we have them.

"We are a really tough team to play, and when we have them, we can be really, really successful. And that is what we have shown over the last couple of months."