Ruud van Nistelrooy has a meeting with Ruben Amorim scheduled for Monday (Image: Getty)
Ruben Amorim is set to hold vital discussions with Ruud van Nistelrooy on Monday, in a bid to determine the former striker’s future at Manchester United. Amorim starts his tenure first thing in the morning, and at the top of his agenda is deciding if there’s a place for the club icon and current striking coach.
Van Nistelrooy, having secured two victories and one draw from three fixtures as caretaker boss after Erik ten Hag was shown the door, has displayed immense popularity among the squad, who have been vocal about their admiration for his composed and efficient leadership style. Van Nistelrooy, a legendary figure for the Red Devils with 95 strikes in 150 games, hasn’t shied away from divulging his managerial aspirations, perceiving his stint as Ten Hag’s deputy – a role he took last summer with a two-year deal – as a stepping stone in his coaching journey.
Additionally, he has expressed a keen interest to continue under Amorim’s wing, as he prepares to lead the team for the last time against Leicester today at Old Trafford. Yet, Amorim’s arrival alongside assistant coaches Carlos Fernandes and Adelio Candido from Sporting Lisbon casts some uncertainty over Van Nistelrooy’s potential integral involvement in the new setup should he remain.
Commenting on the impending talks with Amorim, Van Nistelrooy remarked: “Yeah, let’s wait and see how that goes.
“I am calm, to be fair. I am trusting the process. I believe the outcome will be good because I believe that as long as I’m here, there is no news.
“I am here at Manchester United, so that is my focus. I am calm in that sense and whenever the communication takes place, I will see.”
He acknowledges timeframes and priorities, adding: “Obviously we know what the time frames are so I am aware of that but for me the game with Leicester is the only thing that is on my mind to be fair.”
Following today’s match, he intends to carry on as normal unless notified otherwise: “As it is, definitely.”
The Dutch legend is also realistic about the challenges facing United under Amorim, stating: “The target is clear, from where we are now, to improve. That will take time and it will take hard work,” Van Nistelrooy explained, emphasizing his commitment to progress rather than dwelling on the past.”
In a resolution not to disrupt his old side Sporting Lisbon, Amorim has made a pledge not to pursue their prized players, specifically standout Swedish striker Viktor Gyokeres and young winger Geovany Quenda, during the upcoming transfer window.
Despite rumours of departure, Amorim confirmed after Sporting Lisbon’s dominant 4-1 Champions League victory over Manchester City that Gyokeres is set to remain for the season, remarking, “Viktor has to stay until the end of the season, and then his life will probably go somewhere else.”
Paris Saint-Germain’s football adviser, Luis Campos, is keen on bringing Gyokeres to France, with Arsenal, Chelsea, City and Bayern Munich also keeping tabs on his situation. The Swedish player, who recently stated that his £85million release clause was too high, is understood to have been informed by Sporting that he could depart for a more reasonable £65m next summer if he completes the season in Lisbon.
Manchester United are also fans of 17-year-old winger Quenda, having scouted the forward prior to their appointment of Amorim. However, similar to the case with Gyokeres, if sufficient offers are made in the January transfer window, the Red Devils may be left without any say in the matter.
Source: https://www.express.co.uk/sport/football/1973943/Ruben-Amorim-Ruud-van-Nistelrooy-Man-Utd