Manchester United interim manager Ruud van Nistelrooy did not seem best pleased to be asked, in his press conference on Thursday, whether he has spoken to Ruben Amorim.
Sporting boss Amorim is set to replace Van Nistelrooy at Old Trafford and take over the full-time position previously held by Erik ten Hag. Van Nistelrooy is keen to resume his role as an assistant with the Red Devils but that will ultimately depend on how Amorim wants to set up his coaching staff.
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When quizzed on whether he and Amorim had talked ahead of his official unveiling, Van Nistelrooy snapped back: "Is he already announced?" He continued: "So we don't know. Again, what the future will bring, we will see."
Although the appointment has not been made official, Amorim's imminent move to Old Trafford is now an open secret, which was effectively confirmed by INEOS chief Sir Dave Brailsford on Wednesday night.
Much like Van Nistelrooy, Amorim himself has remained tight-lipped on the situation. "We have to wait a little bit more to explain everything I need to explain," he said in his latest Sporting press conference. "It will be very clear. It's my decision. I will tell everything but we have to wait, and that's it."
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Van Nistelrooy, who was a United goal machine between 2001 and 2006, led the team out as the head coach for the first time on Wednesday evening. And he oversaw a joyous night at Old Trafford, with United thrashing Leicester City 5-2 to earn a spot in the Carabao Cup quarter-finals.
A pre-game chat with legendary United manager Sir Alex Ferguson may have helped Van Nistelrooy's focus. "Yes, I spoke to him," said the Dutchman. "He wished me luck. We spoke shortly about my situation, shortly about the team and most of all he wished me luck before the game. It’s always great to speak to him."
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Van Nistelrooy may be asked to remain in charge for upcoming games against Chelsea, PAOK and Leicester, with Amorim's arrival seemingly delayed by a 30-day notice period at Sporting. United's interim manager will hope that more feel-good performances sway Amorim towards keeping him around.
"I came as an assistant to help the club forward and I'm still very motivated to do so in any capacity," he continued. "As an assistant, and now as an interim manager, and after that 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."
