Ruud van Nistelrooy's ‘good bond’ with Man United player who disliked Erik ten Hag’s approach

Interim Manchester United manager Ruud van Nistelrooy has cultivated a "good bond" with Casemiro since arriving in the summer.

And the Brazil midfielder will likely be among those sad if the Old Trafford legend moves on once new manager Ruben Amorim arrives later this month. Van Nistelrooy, 48, will step aside after Amorim takes charge from Monday, November 11, having been confirmed as Erik ten Hag's long-term replacement. For now, it remains uncertain what will come of the current caretaker.

Numerous members of the United squad have spoken of Van Nistelrooy in glowing terms since he joined as one of Ten Hag's assistants in the summer. And it's reported Casemiro even preferred one aspect of the retired striker's approach to coaching compared to that of Ten Hag.

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That's according to The Athletic, which reported insights into the United camp after Ten Hag was sacked on Monday. One element of Ten Hag's teachings that didn't get Casemiro onside was the Dutchman's preference for video analysis, while Van Nistelrooy opts for a more hands-on approach.

It's suggested Casemiro 'voiced a dislike' for this part of Ten Hag's method. There's also the fact that, like Casemiro, Van Nistelrooy came through the halls of Real Madrid, where he scored 64 goals in 96 games and twice won La Liga.

Van Nistelrooy made his dugout debut in a 5-2 League Cup victory over Leicester 48 hours later, and there was a sign of the 'good bond' between him and United's midfield enforcer during that clash. It was after Alejandro Garnacho's goal to lead 2-0 that Casemiro turned to Van Nistelrooy on the bench, shooting him a smile and a fist pump in acknowledgement.

The interim chief has made no secret of the fact he'd like to remain at United even after Amorim's arrival. Speaking ahead of today's (Sunday) crunch encounter with Chelsea, he highlighted the fact his contract at the club doesn't expire until 2026.

That being said, it's only natural Amorim will want to recruit the same staff that helped him to such major success at Sporting CP. And because of that, there may simply be no room for Van Nistelrooy at United – the only club at which he said he would have accepted an assistant position.

There's no questioning the former PSV manager's commitment to the club, and there's at least one senior figure in the squad – Casemiro – who reciprocates that loyalty, it seems. And if Van Nistelrooy were to part ways with the Red Devils once more this autumn, there may be few among the squad sadder to see him go than Casemiro.

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