The Dutchman candidly described his mixed emotions
Ruud van Nistelrooy has spoken out for the first time since Erik ten Hag was sacked as manager of Manchester United.
Erik Ten Hag’s time as Manchester United manager ended on Monday. The club sacked the Dutch coach after a terrible start to the season, with the Red Devils currently in 14th place with 11 points from nine games.
The 2-1 loss to West Ham United on Sunday was the final straw for the Old Trafford decision-makers.Man United, who lost 3-0 at home to Liverpool and Tottenham Hotspur already this season, have opted to make a change to try to salvage their season.
Ruud van Nistelrooy, the former Red Devils striker, has been named as interim manager.
Now, the Dutchman has spoken out for the first time since the dismissal of Erik ten Hag taking to Manchester United’s match day program United Review to express his thoughts.
He wrote: “Good evening and welcome to Old Trafford.
“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.”
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He went on to address their League Cup fixture against Leicester City, citing the game as “not easy”.
He added: “Every game we play is also an opportunity for us to remind everyone – ourselves included – of what this great club stands for.”
Van Nistelrooy will take change of his first United game tonight when Man United take on Leicester at Old Trafford at 19:45.
