- Ruud van Nistelrooy has risked upsetting new Man United boss Ruben Amorim
- Van Nistelrooy insists that he wants to be the club’s manager in the future
- LISTEN NOW: It’s All Kicking Off!, available wherever you get your podcasts. New episodes every Monday and Thursday
Ruud van Nistelrooy has revealed that he has ambitions to be Manchester United‘s permanent manager in the future.
Van Nistelrooy, who was previously an assistant coach, has filled in as interim boss following the sacking of Erik ten Hag.
Ruben Amorim, who is set to begin work at United on Monday, faces a decision over whether to keep Van Nistelrooy as part of his coaching staff.
Asked in his press conference if he would like to manage United permanently one day, Van Nistelrooy said: ‘Of course.
‘I thought this through well when I made the decision to come to United as assistant coach, I thought that through.
Ruud van Nistelrooy has revealed his ambition to eventually manage Manchester United
Ruben Amorim, who stars work at United on Monday, faces a decision over van Nistelrooy
‘I knew that coming to Manchester United was for me a special occasion where I felt I wanted to be part of this journey with the club also in an assistant role. I had clear ambitions to manage, I made the decision to sign a two-year deal as an assistant and I’m still in that frame of mind to stay in that capacity.’
Van Nistelrooy, who scored 150 goals in 219 games during his time as a United player, has relished returning to the club.
During his time as interim boss he has overseen wins against Leicester in the Carabao Cup and PAOK in the Europa League as well as a draw with Chelsea in the Premier League. He will take charge of his final game at home to Leicester in the Premier League on Sunday.
He said: ‘I’ve enjoyed it, it gave a lot of energy, the reaction of the players was outstanding. I think also as an assistant you are quite close to players, the past three months I spent a lot of time with the players and got to know the players very well as human beings but also as football players, where they are in that development and how I can help. I think that relationship now is helping.
‘We are together and we want to achieve something together so that bond is there and that’s why I feel very supported. That gives a lot of energy and support, lots of confidence and energy and so far so good.
‘I think the appetite to build further within this club is stronger than the other bit (to manage United). So for this moment, I made a deliberate decision to step into this role for two seasons and take it from there.
‘And these four games haven’t changed that sentiment and that’s why I said from the beginning what my intentions were also after my interim job.’
Van Nistelrooy possesses experience of management from his time at PSV, with whom he won the KNVB Cup.
United struggled under ten Hag this season and there is still much room for improvement, with the club currently in 13th place in the Premier League.
Amorim, who has received much praise for his work at Sporting, will face much scrutiny as he attempts to improve United’s fortunes.