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Manchester United fans will be demanding the return of Ruud van Nistelrooy if Ruben Amorim gets off to a shaky start.
That’s according to Van Nistelrooy’s close friend and former colleague Andre Ooijer, who says the Dutchman was keen to stay at Old Trafford. After Erik ten Hag’s dismissal, he led the team for four games, winning three and drawing the other against Chelsea.
However, Amorim decided not to retain the former United striker, preferring to bring in his own trusted coaching team from Sporting CP. Former Netherlands international Ooijer believes this decision could backfire for the Portuguese coach, especially if he is unable to hit the ground running.
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“Ruud wanted to stay as an assistant,” Ooijer, coach under Van Nistelrooy at PSV Eindhoven, told the Mirror. “He would have said something if he wasn’t interested in working with Amorim.”
Ooijer said Van Nistelrooy turned down other head coach positions because he wanted to return to United. The former Blackburn defender added: “Ruud had the chance to become a manager or head coach at other clubs.
“But he deliberately didn’t take these jobs because he wanted to work at the club he loves most. Don’t forget Ruud did really well at United, a draw against Chelsea and wins in the other three games.”
“You could tell the fans liked him so much. You just had to watch how they reacted to him after his last game. He did so well in difficult circumstances.
“He remained undefeated as a coach. If Amorim doesn’t get the right results in the first few games, the crowd could call for Ruud again.”
Van Nistelrooy, who was close to joining Burnley in the summer before United came calling, is now apparently eyeing another job in the Premier League. Another former Dutch team-mate believes the 48-year-old will return to Old Trafford as coach in the future.
Wesley Sneijder said: “If United are smart – and I’m sure they are – they will be preparing Ruud to take over in two or three years.”
Meanwhile, another ex-teammate, Rafael van der Vaart, agrees. The former Tottenham midfielder added: “When Ten Hag was sacked, Ruud thought: ‘I have to take this chance and if I’m good, something can work out for me’.”
“The club has decided to take a different path, but that doesn’t stop it. Ruud’s moment will come. The job really suits him. Ruud is the king at Old Trafford. Everyone loves him because he is a legend. He absolutely loves the club and the club loves him.”
