Michallik: Van Nistelrooy gave Man United a ‘green light’ to attack again (1:01)
Janusz Michallik looks back on a 3-0 win for Manchester United over Leicester City to close out Ruud van Nistelrooy’s time as interim manager. (1:01)
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ESPN
Nov 11, 2024, 12:14 PM ET
Manchester United have announced that interim boss Ruud van Nistelrooy has left the club after the arrival of permanent head coach Rúben Amorim on Monday.
Van Nistelrooy oversaw four games in the aftermath of Erik ten Hag’s sacking, winning three and drawing one. The team scored 11 goals during his short tenure.
The former Netherlands international and club legend departs along with others from Ten Hag’s pre-existing backroom staff.
“Manchester United can confirm that Ruud van Nistelrooy has left the club. Ruud rejoined in the summer and has taken charge of the team for the past four matches as interim head coach.,” the club statement said.
“Ruud is, and always will be, a Manchester United legend. We are grateful for his contribution and the way in which he has approached his role throughout his time with the club.
“He will always be very welcome at Old Trafford. Rene Hake, Jelle ten Rouwelaar and Pieter Morel have also departed and we wish them all well for the future.
“We will confirm the full men’s first team coaching composition in due course.”
Van Nistelrooy was a fan favourite as a player at Old Trafford, scoring 150 goals in 219 appearances over a five-year period.
He was previously head coach at Dutch side PSV Eindhoven, resigning ahead of the final day of the 2022-23 season amid concerns that the team’s hierarchy were not backing him.
Meanwhile, Matthijs de Ligt says the biggest challenge facing Amorim is to get everyone “on the same wavelength” ahead of a potential tactical switch at Old Trafford.
Amorim is set to implement his 3-4-3 formation when his reign gets underway against Ipswich Town on November 24. He would be the first United boss to regularly play with a three-man defence since Louis van Gaal in 2014.
De Ligt said the squad can adapt to the change if Amorim and his staff can get the players “on the same page.”
“I think a back three or a back four, it’s in general the same, the only thing of importance is how the team is set up,” he said.
“You can play in a back three but if everything is not compact and everybody is doing their own job then it’s going to be really difficult, the same in a back four. That’s going to be the biggest challenge for the trainers, to get everyone on the same wavelength and same page to improve as a team and improve as players.”
Amorim has officially started his new job after flying in from Portugal following his final game in charge of Sporting CP on Sunday.
With most players on international duty or on holiday during the international break, he will have to wait to meet the majority of his squad. Casemiro is among the players who is yet to speak to Amorim, but the Brazilian is backing the appointment.
“We have not spoken, but everyone speaks so well of him,” Casemiro said.
“Above all he is very true, very loyal. We cannot ignore how he has changed Sporting. We know that Sporting won many titles, changed the club with titles, with trophies. He has already proved that and has won a lot.
“I think there is going to be a good template that everyone wants to grow, everyone wants to learn. I think that is the way to first help us grow to be at the top of the table.”
Information from ESPN’s Rob Dawson contributed to this report.
