Rio Ferdinand has warned Ruben Amorim that he’s playing a risky game by dismissing Ruud van Nistelrooy – potentially upsetting both Manchester United players and fans.
Van Nistelrooy had taken the reins as interim manager for four matches after Erik ten Hag was sacked, delivering an impressive stint with three wins and a draw. Despite his successful run while Amorim wrapped up at Sporting Lisbon, Van Nistelrooy found out on Monday that his time at the club was over.
Amorim arrived in Manchester on Monday with his team from Sporting, ready to take charge at United. He personally delivered the news to Van Nistelrooy, setting his sights on his first match leading the team away against Ipswich Town on November 24.
Ferdinand, who shared the pitch with Van Nistelrooy at United, praised his former team-mate’s performance as interim manager on Rio Ferdinand Presents, before the decision was announced, reports the Mirror.
He said: “His audition couldn’t have gone any better and I think, knowing him, there was a steely determination underneath that said ‘I’m going to put myself in the best position, either to stay at the club in some capacity or someone else is going to say we need you as a manager’. He looked the part and he produced.”
Ferdinand added: “The players needed that. We’re in a time where there was a lot of turbulence, the manager’s relationships with some players seemed fractured and irreversible and the fans seemed to have made their minds up that that was it. And the new manager comes in and you always get that bounce but this seemed a bit different from a bounce.
“The players had grown to really like him, they appreciated how he informed them of different bits and pieces tactically, individually, as a team and there was a genuine ‘we want to do well for this guy’.”
Former United midfielder Owen Hargreaves shared his view that Amorim should have kept Van Nistelrooy to offer the ex-player’s perspective and to work specifically with Rasmus Hojlund, Alejandro Garnacho and Marcus Rashford.
He said: “They need to learn from one of the best to ever do it. You don’t have to be the main guy, the coach, but he can help these guys learn the little details.”
Ferdinand said he agreed “100%” and added: “We’ve been sitting here waiting for a manager to connect with the players. We have one right now. Why are you going to get rid of him? The biggest sticking point and question mark will be the manager. It’ll be his decision to decide whether he keeps Ruud or not.
“It’s a hard decision, because you’re going to need a massive personality and character and confidence in what you do to say ‘I don’t care who’s next to me, I can do this’. You’ve got to work out if he’s going to be added value or a distraction.”