Ruud van Nistelrooy breaks silence on Man United state of affairs as he prepares to take cost of Carabao Cup tie – after Erik ten Hag was sacked as boss

Ruud van Nistelrooy has broken his silence on a hectic week at Manchester United as the assistant manager gets ready to stand in for the side’s Carabao Cup clash against Leicester, after Erik ten Hag was dismissed on Monday.

The Dutchman takes over from his compatriot, for one match at least, after he was finally sacked following months of speculation, during which time the Old Trafford outfit slumped to 14th in the Premier League.

Things came to a head last week as United continued their woeful Europa League campaign with a chaotic 1-1 draw against Jose Mourinho‘s Fenerbahce before succumbing to a last-minute defeat to West Ham on Sunday.

Van Nistelrooy, who scored 150 goals for United in 219 matches, has been linked with the full-time role for months but seems set to lose out to Sporting Lisbon boss Ruben Amorim, as the Portuguese negotiates a move to Old Trafford.

Now the former PSV Eindhoven manager has spoken out about tonight’s fixture which sees him take charge of the side at which he made his name. 

He told the matchday programme: ‘As I am sure everyone can imagine, I am writing these notes with a huge amount of mixed emotions. 

‘Erik ten Hag brought me back to Manchester United 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 giving me the opportunity, and I am saddened to see him leave.

‘Even on an interim basis, it is a great honour to manage the club I love for however long I am asked to do so. I promise that I will continue to give my all, in whatever capacity, to try and turn around our fortunes. 

‘Despite our results, I am loving being back at Old Trafford and working with the team and staff every day. We’ve seen the squad’s potential at times this season, but clearly not often enough.

‘Now is the time for everyone at the club to work together, give everything and turn this season around while we have time. From my experiences as both a player and a coach here, I can say for sure that when players, staff and supporters pull together, Manchester United can be unstoppable.’

Van Nistelrooy is being thrusted into the spotlight tonight, with the match against Leicester providing a brief interlude from the off-the-field saga.

Steve Cooper’s side have made the best start to the season of the three promoted teams, finding themselves in 15th with nine points from as many games. 

United’s stand-in manager has urged his charges to focus on what will be a tricky evening under the lights at Old Trafford. 

Van Nistelrooy said: ‘Thankfully, we have time on our side and with fixtures coming so regularly now, we also have plenty of opportunities to build up some positive momentum, starting with tonight’s visit of Steve Cooper and Leicester City in the Carabao Cup.

‘It will not be easy, of course. Leicester are Premier League opposition and they will also be highly motivated by the prospect of moving into the quarter-finals. However, every game we play is also an opportunity for us to remind everyone – ourselves included – of what this great club stands for.

‘When I returned in the summer as Erik’s assistant, it was because I believe that Manchester United can climb back to the levels that I knew here as a player. I still have that belief, but it will take time and a lot of hard work.

‘The first step is to restore the winning habit, starting at Old Trafford this evening. I know first-hand the positive effect that our wonderful fans can have on the team, so please get behind the players as we fight together to move a step closer to Wembley.’ 

United are closing in on Amorim as they look to make a speedy appointment, with Sporting announcing on Tuesday that the English giants plan to pay the €10million (£8.5m) release clause to buy the boss out of his contract.

According to the Times, the Portuguese could even be in place for the Red Devils’ next Premier League match this Sunday against Chelsea. 

Sporting beat Nacional 3-1 in the Portuguese League Cup on Tuesday night and national newspaper A Bola reported that United sent three officials to Lisbon to seal an agreement with Amorim immediately after the match. 

Ahead of the tie, Amorim was asked about links to United in the wake of Ten Hag’s sacking.

‘I was already expecting this question and obviously I’m not going to talk about the future, because otherwise I’ll always have to comment,’ he said on Monday. ‘I’m very proud to be Sporting coach, that’s all.’ 

The win could prove to be Amorim’s final match in charge, with Portuguese newspaper Record reporting the 39-year-old could travel to England today.

The report claims Man United are keen to finalise a deal with the hope Amorim could take charge – rather than observe – their next Premier League match.

Ten Hag oversaw three wins, two draws and four defeats in the top flight this season prior to his dismissal.

The results have left Man United already seven points adrift of the Premier League top four and six behind Sunday’s visitors Chelsea.

Man United would have to pay £8.5million to secure Amorim due to a release clause in his contract. 

Sporting have reportedly already lined up Joao Pereira as Amorim’s successor with the club currently top of the Primeira Liga having won their opening nine matches.