At the press conference ahead of Sunday’s match against Leicester City, Ruud van Nistelrooij cautiously reflected for the first time on his period as interim manager of Manchester United. The Dutchman doesn’t expect it to be a very emotional afternoon.
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At the pre-match press conference ahead of Manchester United's clash with Leicester City, Ruud van Nistelrooij took a moment to reflect on his tenure as interim manager, a role he was unexpectedly thrust into following the departure of Erik ten Hag.
While he expressed pride in what the team had achieved under his brief stewardship, he was quick to temper expectations about his future in the position. “I don’t think it will be overly emotional on Sunday,” Van Nistelrooij remarked when asked about his feelings ahead of the game. “I’m quite pragmatic by nature, although I am very proud of what we’ve accomplished in this short period. We’ll see how it feels when the time comes.”
The Dutchman was realistic about his ambitions, stating that while he has aspirations of becoming a head manager one day, his current contract as assistant coach runs for another two years. “It’s clear that my goal is to eventually take on a managerial role somewhere,” he acknowledged. “But I’ve signed on as an assistant here for two years, and at this moment, nothing has changed in that regard. My focus is on supporting the new manager and helping the team as best as I can.”
During the conference, Van Nistelrooij was asked whether he had gained valuable lessons from his interim spell. He admitted that his focus had been entirely on getting the best out of the players, leaving little time for self-reflection. “To be honest, I’ve been so concentrated on maximizing the players' performance that I haven’t had a chance to step back and reflect on what I’ve learned,” he explained. “There will be time for that later, but right now, it’s all about the team and getting results.”
When asked if he had any advice for Rubén Amorim, who has been appointed as the new head coach, Van Nistelrooij paused before responding, highlighting the complexity of the question. “Phew, that’s a tough one,” he said with a smile. “I need to give that some thought. Every manager has their own style, and Rubén has shown his quality at Sporting CP. I’m sure he’ll bring fresh ideas and energy to the squad.”
Van Nistelrooij was optimistic about the state of the team, believing that he had left it in a better condition than when he took over. He credited the improved results and a revived connection with the fans as key indicators of progress. “The results speak for themselves,” he noted. “It’s much easier to manage a team that’s won two out of its last three matches. There’s a renewed connection with the supporters, and I’m confident that we are already starting to turn things around. The players are responding well, and there’s a positive atmosphere in the dressing room.”
In terms of squad updates, Van Nistelrooij shared encouraging news regarding player injuries, which have been a persistent issue throughout the season. He was pleased to report that Christian Eriksen and Mason Mount made successful returns in the recent Europa League match against PAOK Saloniki. “We’re very happy to have them back,” Van Nistelrooij said. “They bring a lot of experience and creativity to the midfield, and it’s a big boost for the team.”
He also provided updates on Luke Shaw and Leny Yoro, who have both returned to training after long injury layoffs. Shaw, a key defensive figure, has been sorely missed, while summer signing Yoro, who suffered an injury during preseason, has yet to make his official debut for the club. “It’s great to see them back on the pitch,” Van Nistelrooij commented. “Luke is a vital player for us, and Yoro has been very eager to get started. We’re hopeful they’ll be fully fit soon.”
Another topic of interest was the status of Amad Diallo, who was named Man of the Match in the Europa League encounter with PAOK but appeared to pick up some minor knocks during the game. Van Nistelrooij reassured fans that the Ivorian winger is expected to be fit for the upcoming match against Leicester City. “He took a few hits, but we had him examined right away,” Van Nistelrooij said. “We’re working hard to get him ready for Sunday, and I’m confident he’ll be able to play. He’s been in great form, and we want to keep that momentum going.”
Van Nistelrooij concluded the press conference on a positive note, expressing his confidence in the team’s direction and the impact the returning players will have as they head into a crucial stretch of the season. “We’re in a good place right now,” he said. “The players are motivated, we’re getting key players back from injury, and there’s a real sense of unity in the squad. I believe we can continue to build on this progress, and I’m looking forward to seeing what we can achieve in the coming weeks.”
Updated: 03:07, 8 Nov 2024
