Ruud van Nistelrooy on Wednesday night offered to ‘serve’ incoming manager Ruben Amorim in any capacity after he made a winning start in his first game as interim boss.
Van Nistelrooy stepped up to fill the void left by Erik ten Hag, who was sacked on Monday, and helped United find their shooting boots as they hit Leicester City for five to reach the quarter-finals of the Carabao Cup.
A deal to bring Amorim to Old Trafford edged ever closer as the game played out and it’s understood that United have agreed to pay Sporting £9.2million to release Amorim from his contract, although the 39-year-old is still not expected to arrive until the start of the international break on November 10.
That means club legend Van Nistelrooy would stay in charge for another three games, starting with Sunday’s mammoth clash against Chelsea, although the Dutchman’s future at the club beyond that remains unclear.
Amorim is expected to bring his assistants Carlos Fernandes, Adelio Candido and Emanuel Ferro as well as goalkeeper coach Jorge Vital and sports scientist Paulo Barreira.
Ruud van Nistelrooy has pledged to support incoming manager Ruben Amorim in any capacity
During his first stint in the dugout the interim head coach oversaw a thumping 5-2 home win
Sporting manager Amorim is nearing closer to a move to Manchester as the two clubs work out his deal
But Van Nistelrooy expressed his desire to stay part of the project to help take United back to the top.
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‘I came here as an assistant to help the club. Now in this role, I’m helping as long as needed,’ he said.
‘In the future in any capacity, I’m here to help the club further to build towards the future that’s what I’m here for.’
He continued: ‘I’m here to help and serve and give my everything for the club in any capacity with so many people here around me that want the best for the club and that will never change.’
United flew out of the blocks and went ahead after a thrilling 30-yard pile driver from Casemiro, who got the final goal of the Ten Hag reign and the first of Van Nistelrooy’s mini-tenure.
‘I couldn’t have asked for more,’ Van Nistelrooy said of his players.
The ex-United star cut an animated presence on the touchline during the Carabao Cup clash
‘The first goal was unbelievable, a fantastic finish. I must say we also needed some luck and had some luck on our side. The double post and it came back to Casemiro (for his second goal) and the Bruno deflection (for his first).
‘But I’m delighted for [Casemiro] the first one is in and then you see that more goals are coming. It was a good goal by Garna and assist by Diogo. It was a great night.’
Van Nistelrooy did not hold a post match press conference, speaking only to Sky and in-house channel MUTV, and will instead address the media on Thursday in his first media briefing since stepping up to replace Erik ten Hag.