Ruud van Nistelrooy said he is ready to assist incoming Manchester United boss Ruben Amorim in any way after overseeing a 1-1 draw against Chelsea that condemned the Red Devils to their worst start to a season in nearly 40 years.
Van Nistelrooy returned to United, a club where he shone as a prolific striker in the early 2000s, as one of Erik ten Hag's assistants this summer and is temporarily filling in as manager following his compatriot’s sacking last Monday.
The Dutchman oversaw a 5-2 Carabao Cup win over Leicester City before Sunday's Premier League draw with Chelsea.
Sporting boss Amorim begins his new role in England a week on Monday and will bring in his own staff but Van Nistelrooy is hoping to remain part of the backroom team.
“Like I said on Wednesday, I came here to help as an assistant, as a coach and in this bit as well as an interim for a short spell,” the caretaker boss said.
“Then, again, in any capacity willing to help, so in that sense I’m open for this future.
“We all will be backing him and helping him to get Manchester United to where we all want it to be and I think that spirit is the most important to have. It’s not about individuals, but it’s about the club.
“I look forward to getting to know him better. Obviously he’s done very well in Portugal. He’s very young, a talented coach and did well for a long time over a longer spell in Portugal.
“As I said, looking forward to keep helping the club [move] forward. That that’s my main goal.”
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Chelsea's Moises Caicedo celebrates after scoring his side's opening goal in the 1-1 Premier League draw with Manchester United at Old Trafford on Sunday, November 3, 2024. AP -
Chelsea's Moises Caicedo, second left, celebrates after scoring his side's equaliser to make it 1-1. AP -
Chelsea's Moises Caicedo scores their first goal. Action Images -
Bruno Fernandes of Manchester United celebrates after scoring his team's first goal from the penalty spot. Getty Images -
Manchester United's interim manager Ruud van Nistelrooy celebrates Bruno Fernandes' opener. Getty Images -
Robert Sanchez of Chelsea is beaten by Bruno Fernandes' penalty to put Manchester United 1-0 up. Getty Images -
Robert Sanchez of Chelsea brings down Rasmus Hojlund of Manchester United to concede a penalty from which Bruno Fernandes put the home side 1-0 up. Getty Images -
Manchester United interim manager Ruud van Nistelrooy. Action Images -
Interim Manchester United manager Ruud van Nistelrooy and Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca don the touchline. PA
Van Nistelrooy has yet to speak to Amorim but believes the Portuguese coach is joining a club in a better place than is suggested by United’s lowest points tally after 10 matches since 1986/87.
That poor start to the campaign, just like this season, resulted in a change of manager as Alex Ferguson replaced Ron Atkinson.
“We’re early in [the season] and I think performances with the spirit that the players showed on Wednesday and today is a foundation to build on,” Van Nistelrooy said.
“With this spirit and fight then football qualities will come out and will be shown.
“That’s, I think, the foundation to build on, and then there’s time to improve a lot on the ranking.”
Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca was happy enough with the result at Old Trafford – “in Italy we say when you can’t win it is important you don’t lose,” he said – but felt Lisandro Martinez should have been sent off.
The Argentina defender escaped a booking being upgraded to a red card in second-half stoppage time after his poor tackle on Cole Palmer was reviewed by the VAR.
“To be honest, [the referee] didn’t say nothing,” Chelsea boss Maresca said.
“I just said to him that when there is no intention to go for the ball and you go for the player, for the legs, there is no doubt about the decision.
“I just said like this, but the game was finished already. I think it’s quite clear that it is a red, yeah.”
