October 5th 2024.
According to reports, Manchester United is considering former player Ruud van Nistelrooy as an interim replacement for current manager Erik ten Hag. However, it seems that Van Nistelrooy is hesitant about taking on the role and potentially betraying his colleague.
The former United striker joined the coaching staff at Old Trafford this summer, following his resignation as manager of PSV last year. Ten Hag is already feeling the pressure after a lackluster start to the season, with only three wins in nine games. The upcoming Premier League match against Aston Villa has been labeled as a must-win for Ten Hag to keep his job before the international break.
According to sources, if Ten Hag is sacked, United would offer Van Nistelrooy the manager's position on an interim basis. However, the Dutchman is reportedly cautious about being seen as an opportunist, as he only joined the coaching staff to support Ten Hag.
A source in Holland revealed, "Van Nistelrooy is a man of principles. He felt betrayed at Eindhoven, and he doesn't want to be seen as someone who went behind Erik ten Hag's back."
In an interview with the Mirror, former United striker Dwight Yorke also expressed his doubts about the club's decision to bring back Van Nistelrooy while Ten Hag is still in charge. "Ruud is a manager, he wants to be a manager, and he's had success. But when you have a big name like Ruud in the background, it raises some questions."
Yorke went on to compare the situation to when Roy Keane was a coach at Aston Villa under different managers. "I won't say it's suspicious, but there's something not quite right. I'm sure Ruud is doing his job professionally, but it does make you wonder if he's being groomed to take over if Ten Hag is sacked. It all feels a bit bizarre."
He added, "I'm curious to see if Ten Hag is sacked, will they give Ruud the interim job, or will he walk away from it? That's when we'll know the truth behind all of this. We all love United, so why would he turn it down?"
In the end, it seems that Van Nistelrooy and the club are in a delicate situation, trying to balance loyalty to a colleague with the potential opportunity for a managerial role. As for United's performance on the field, fans and analysts alike will be keeping a close eye on their upcoming match against Aston Villa.
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