Ruud van Nistelrooy confirms future following Erik ten Hag exit

Good news United fans

United played their first game last night since Erik ten Hag was sacked with formerly assistant manager, Ruud van Nistelrooy, taking over as interim manager.

In a full circle moment for the United legend, he led his team to a 5-2 win over Premier League opposition.

The Dutchman spoke out for the first time yesterday since the dismissal of Erik ten Hag, taking to Manchester United's match day program United Review to express his thoughts.

He wrote: "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 turnaround 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."

Many United fans were hoping Van Nistelroy would be sticking about, even after the likely arrival of Ruben Amorim from Sporting CP, with the Dutchman being one of the most popular recent appointments at Old Trafford.

And, with Ten Hag's departure, there were rumours that Van Nistelrooy might leave with his fellow Dutchman.

However, the former United striker has officially confirmed he will be staying at Manchester United in an interview with TalkSport.

The interim manager said: "I’m motivated to stay at Man United. I will go back to my assistant contract that I have here for this season and next”.

“I came as an assistant to help the club forward and I'm still motivated to do so in any capacity”.

For most United fans that will comes as welcome news to have the former PSV manager sticking about especially with all his goal scoring advice that United's attackers desperately needed under Erik ten Hag.

Meanwhile, with most reports pointing to Ruben Amorim not taking over at United until after the November international break, Van Nistelrooy can look forward to a further three games in charge of the Red Devils.