I saw Stretford End reaction to Ruud van Nistelrooy - it gave Manchester United an awkward dilemma

Anyone who sold their Manchester United match ticket ahead of Erik ten Hag's departure would have regretted that decision when Ruud van Nistelrooy was placed in interim charge.

It always felt inevitable Van Nistelrooy would take over as a safe pair of hands if Ten Hag was axed and it was no surprise to see United confirm he would manage against Leicester.

United fans revelled in Van Nistelrooy's return when he was appointed as a first-team coach in the summer and he received a rapturous reception when emerging from the tunnel on Wednesday night, warmly clasping hands with the club's mascot and applauding the Stretford End.

"Ruuuud," were the cries at Old Trafford. There were Van Nistelrooy scarves sold outside the ground before the game and a few fans were spotted wearing Ruud merchandise.

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Van Nistelrooy was smartly dressed for the occasion, wearing a turtle neck and a stylish winter coat, and he was actually wearing socks - it's fair to say Erik ten Hag's fashion sense was questionable at times and his ankles were often on display on the touchline.

The 48-year-old was always bound to receive a warm reception but he was particularly well received and it will be fascinating to see if he stays after Ruben Amorim's appointment.

“I am writing these notes with a huge amount of mixed emotions," said Van Nistelrooy in the match programme. "Ten Hag brought me back 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 the opportunity.”

Van Nistelrooy played over 200 games for United. He was universally loved during his time as a player in Manchester and his connection with fans has only grown stronger with time.

He was a shrewd addition to Ten Hag's backroom staff and instantly hit it off with the players, who have relished the opportunity to work with a genuine great each day at Carrington.

When journalists have been invited to open training, the extent of Van Nistelrooy's popularity with the players has been apparent and it seems they would like him to stick around, despite United currently being in talks with Sporting Lisbon to appoint Amorim's own coaches.

Carlos Fernandes, 29, and Adelio Candido, 28, followed Amorim from Barga to Sporting in 2020 and they have been crucial in his success at the Jose Alvalade Stadium, while Amorim has also previously said if he becomes Bobby Robson then Fernandes is 'his Jose Mourinho'.

Amorim wants his own staff to join him at Old Trafford and United would be asking for trouble by not bowing down to his request and making him operate with Ten Hag's backroom staff.

However, that creates uncertainty for Van Nistelrooy, Rene Hake and Andreas Georgson, who were all appointed in the summer as Ineos looked to freshen up Ten Hag's coaching team.

The brutal nature of football is they could be moved on. It will cost United money to pay out their contracts and seeing Van Nistelrooy leave the club might not be a popular decision.

Van Nistelrooy was in his element on the touchline against Leicester and looked to enjoy every minute, savouring the chance to manage the club he adored representing as a player, but the likelihood is he will only get a handful of games as interim boss and he may well depart United.

Of course, there is a chance Van Nistelrooy could be retained as part of Amorim's coaching staff, but Michael Carrick felt he needed to leave when he was in the same situation following Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's sacking in 2022 and there's a feeling that history will repeat itself in 2024.

The cries of "Ruuuuud" were heard again when he emerged for the second half against Leicester and he oversaw an emphatic 5-2 victory, which was a welcome tonic after Sunday.

Carrick beat Villarreal, Arsenal and drew with Chelsea during his interim tenure and Van Nistelrooy made a similarly strong start to the role, but his return at United might be cut short.