Ruud van Nistelrooy has revealed Erik ten Hag was left feeling ‘hurt’ after having to leave a club he ‘really cared for’.
Manchester United’s interim manager also admitted that he consulted Sir Alex Ferguson before his first game in charge – and he’s motivated to stay at the club, even after a permanent manager arrives.
Ten hag was sacked on Monday after the Red Devils’ 2-1 loss to West Ham on Sunday afternoon, marking just one win in eight games in all competitions.
The result left Man United 14th in the Premier League, and Van Nistelrooy, who had been serving as Ten Hag’s assistant, has stepped in to take change as the club find a successor.
Speaking at a pre-match press conference on Thursday, the former Man United star said: “I’ve seen him Monday here and I’ve spoken to him yesterday before the game.
“Obviously, [he is] very disappointed and touched because he really cared for the club.
“I said also yesterday, in the first conversation we had for me to come back to the club with him I really felt that he cared and loved the club and wanted to bring this club forward and that’s why we connected.
“That’s why he’s also hurt that he had to leave but also proud of his achievements here with the two cups and obviously the history that he’s leaving with that.”
Van Nistelrooy took to the dug out for the first time on Wednesday, guiding Man United to a 5-2 win against Leicester that saw them advance to the quarter-finals of the Carabao Cup.
And the Dutchman says he spoke to his former Man United boss Sir Alex Ferguson before taking on the task of getting his side into the next round.
He said: “I spoke to him. He wished me luck. We spoke shortly about my situation and shortly about the team. Most of all he wished me luck. It is always great to speak to him.”
Sporting Lisbon manager Ruben Amorim is set to take the Man United hot seat next, but he won’t take charge until after the international break in November.
The Portuguese boss is expected to bring his backroom staff with him.
But this hasn’t stopped Van Nistelrooy aiming to stay at the club, as he doubled down on helping Man United after his interim spell ends and detailed his ‘absolute goal’.
The former Real Madrid star said: “I came as an assistant to help the club forward and I’m still motivated to do so in any capacity, I go back to my assistant contract that I have here for this season and next, I’m very motivated to stay here and help the club forward, that’s my absolute goal.
“We will see but it’s a contract situation I’m in and my desire to help the club forward.
“I can speak to you about my side of the story and after that when a new situation is occurring and when a new manager is signing and conversations take place we have to see how things develop.”
Van Nistelrooy’s first Premier League game in charge will come against Chelsea on Sunday, as Man United look to advance back up the table.
