RUUD FOR THOUGHT
Ruud van Nistelrooy still hasn’t been told if he’s staying at Man Utd just four days before Ruben Amorim takes over
Man Utd players are desperate for the interim boss to stay on at the club
RUUD van Nistelrooy is still waiting to hear if he will be part of the plans at Manchester United going forward.
The Red Devils' interim boss has taken charge of three games for the club but will be replaced by new manager Ruben Amorim on Monday.
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Van Nistelrooy was appointed as Erik ten Hag's assistant manager this summer, but could now be surplus to requirements with the Dutchman sacked last week.
And despite valiantly stepping up to guide United through their post-Ten Hag fixtures, he's still none the wiser on where his future lies just FOUR DAYS before Amorim arrives.
No official decision has been made public on the future of the former Man Utd star yet and even he appears to be in the dark about what's happening - despite constantly checking his phone for updates.
Speaking to TNT Sport after he led United a 2-0 win over PAOK, he said: "I did [check my phone] when I left your [TNT] desk. I checked my WiFi an it was all on.
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"But nothing yet. Patience, patience."
It looks like he will have to be patient as he waits for the execs at Old Trafford to decide his fate.
But first he has to prepare for his last game in charge of the club he represented 219 times as a player.
Goalkeeper Andre Onana gave his thoughts on the Dutchman's future after the PAOK win. When asked if he wanted him to stay, he replied: "100 per cent. He's a very good guy, a very good coach and he expects a lot.
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"But at the end of the day, it's not something we can decide because the club make the decision."
Van Nistelrooy will be in the technical area as boss for the final time before Amorim's imminent arrival for United's clash with Leicester this weekend.
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Man Utd ratings vs PAOK
SUNSPORT'S Phil Thomas reveals which Man Utd players would have impressed incoming boss Ruben Amorim against PAOK.
ANDRE ONANA - 6
One great tipover to keep out a Camara half-volley.
But any other stops were pretty routine.
NOUSSAIR MAZRAOUI - 6
Another solid, if unspectacular, display.
An increasingly dependable presence by the week.
VICTOR LINDELOF - 6
Flat-footed once in the first half, but rarely flustered thereafter.
Started a few attacks as well.
JONNY EVANS - 6
Wise old head at the back.
But lucky to get away with going AWOL for one second half chance.
DIOGO DALOT - 4
Usually reliable, but shoddy with so much of what he did, and his delivery wasn’t great either.
Surprising he wasn’t hooked earlier.
CASEMIRO - 6
Starting point for most of what United did going forward.
Although that wasn’t a great deal to be honest.
MANUEL UGARTE - 5
Still far from the midfield general United hoped.
Distribution disappointing too. No shock when subbed off.
AMAD - 8 (STAR MAN)
Livewire runs, impressive closing down, the crucial opening goal…and a stunning second.
United’s best player by some distance.
BRUNO FERNANDES - 7
Knocked some marvellous passes, always looking to create.
At least someone was!
ALEJANDRO GARNACHO - 6
Close with one header and a couple of decent runs, but all in all a quiet night.
Hooked.
RASMUS HOJLUND - 5
One early header aside, little to work with apart from chasing hopeful balls.
No clear sights of goal, either.
SUBS
Rashford (for Garnacho 64) 6
Eriksen (for Ugarte 64) 6
Martinez (for Dalot 64) 6
Mount (for Amad 81) 6
Zirkzee (for Hojlund 90) N/A
SunSport exclusively revealed last week that the Man Utd first team are desperate to for Van Nistelrooy to stay, with an insider saying players have "made their feelings clear internally".
While the former Real Madrid star has said himself that he wants to stay and honour his assistant contract which is set to run until the end of next season.
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His time in charge has seen him guide the team to a 2-0 win over PAOK, a 5-2 trashing of Leicester in the Cup and a 1-1 draw with Chelsea in the league.
Speaking last month, Van Nistelrooy said: "I decided to come back here for a very important reason.
“I came as an assistant to help the club move forward.
“It’s going to be a short job as an interim - that was communicated very clear.
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“I was happy with that. I will then go back to my assistant contract that I have here for this season and next.
“When a new manager signs and conversations take place we have to see how things develop.”
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