MANCHESTER, England: Ruud van Nistelrooy urged Manchester United players to fully support their new manager Ruben Amorim before ending his tenure as interim boss with a 3-0 win over Leicester.
The Dutchman signaled to first-team players he was expected to leave Old Trafford when the Portuguese manager arrived in Manchester yesterday and the club later announced Van Nistelrooy was leaving the team.
The United legend – who made a huge impact in the first-team dressing room despite only being appointed assistant manager four months ago by the sacked Erik ten Hag – has called on his star players to work hard to restore glory under the new boss.
Van Nistelrooy told them he was proud to be back at Old Trafford and that his stint as interim manager – which saw him win three games and draw once – only helped strengthen his managerial career.
A source said: “Ruud explained to his boss that he wants to stay at United because he loves the club.
“But he is also pragmatic and expects Amorim to want to control everything, including his coaching staff.
“He told the players he was delighted to be back and to have the opportunity to manage the club for the last four games.
“It has helped his coaching career, strengthened his already established relationship with United and he has not ruled out a return one day.
“He explained to his players and demanded that they give everything to the new manager.”
Previously, it was reported that the main squad wanted to see Van Nistelrooy stay and work under Amorim after their relationship grew closer on the training field and in the dressing room.
Van Nistelrooy scored 150 goals in 219 games for United under legendary manager Alex Ferguson before moving to Real Madrid after falling out of favor with the Scotsman.
He stepped in as caretaker manager after United sacked Ten Hag following a 2-1 defeat at West Ham, which saw them languish in 14th place in the English Premier League (EPL).
He inspired a 5-2 win over Leicester in the fourth round of the League Cup and then a 1-1 draw with Chelsea.
United then beat PAOK 2-0 in the Europa League before winning 3-0 over Leicester in the EPL last Sunday – his last game in charge.
Amorim was seen in Carrington yesterday waiting to get his work permit.