Ruud van Nistelrooy, the interim boss of Manchester United, who took the first-team charge after Erik ten Hag’s sacking, addressed the criticism of the club and its players from his ex-team-mates. The former Manchester United striker, who is going to continue in the managerial role until new boss Ruben Amorim takes over on November 11, remarked that he has no problems with the likes of Gary Neville, Roy Keane, and a few others, who have been critical of the club’s on-field performances for quite some time.
After smashing Leicester City 5-2 in the League Cup clash at Old Trafford, Ruud van Nistelrooy has a tricky task at hand as Manchester United will be taking on an improved Chelsea at home in the all-important Premier League fixture. On the current standings, Manchester United are in 13th place with just three wins in their first nine matches, and a defeat against the London rivals could put them further off the pace in terms of reaching the top half of the table.
They care for the club, want it to do well: Ruud van Nistelrooy on ex-players’ criticism of Manchester United
When asked about the criticism from the former Manchester United mates of his team in a press conference ahead of the home clash versus Chelsea at Old Trafford, Ruud van Nistelrooy was quoted as saying, as per BBC Sport, “Basically, they care for the club, want it to do well and are disappointed if it doesn’t. I don’t have any problems with that. We all do our jobs and they have opinions. It is absolutely fine. I don’t take it personally. I am still in touch with some of them. When I see them I have a cup of coffee with them.”
Moreover, Ruud van Nistelrooy had joined Manchester United on a two-year contract as an assistant coach under Erik ten Hag’s management before the latter was ousted from his job. The Dutchman had turned down the opportunity to be a manager of Burnley in the summer to join Manchester United, but now, his future at Old Trafford isn’t certain with Ruben Amorim expected to bring in his own backroom staff at the club.
Until that decision is made, Ruud van Nistelrooy still has two more matches to manage Manchester United, taking on PAOK at home in the midweek in the UEFA Europa League before hosting Leicester City once again this season, but in the Premier League this time around.