'I’d love to become Man Utd manager' - Ruud van Nistelrooy

Cameron Smith

8 Nov 2024 14:10 GMT
4 min read

Ruud van Nistelrooy has admitted that he would love to manage Manchester United on a permanent basis as his interim spell edges towards its conclusion.

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The Red Devils legend took over the reins following the sacking of Erik ten Hag on 28 October, but he will step down when Ruben Amorim arrives next week.

The 39-year-old will start his duties at Old Trafford on 11 November and it remains to be seen if Van Nistelrooy will return to his role as Man Utd’s assistant manager.

The Dutchman’s final game as interim boss will come against Leicester City on Sunday and he spoke to the media ahead of the match as he looks to end his spell in charge unbeaten.

When asked if he has aspirations of becoming Man Utd’s permanent manager in the future, Van Nistelrooy admitted: “I thought this through well when I came here as assistant manager.

“I knew coming to Manchester United was a special occasion and I felt I wanted to be part of this journey in the assistant role.

“I have clear ambitions to manage, I signed a two-year deal as an assistant, and I'm still in the same frame of mind.

“I think the appetite to build further within this club is stronger than the other bit [be his own man],” Van Nistelrooy continued.

“For this moment, as I said, I made a deliberate decision to step into this role [assistant manager] for two seasons and take it from there. These four games haven't changed that.”

As per Fabrizio Romano, Van Nistelrooy also added: “Of course I’d love to be Man United manager one day.”

Do Man Utd need a new centre forward?

Furthermore, Van Nistelrooy also hinted that Man Utd may need to sign a new number nine in order to compete for the biggest honours in world football.

Rasmus Hojlund has shown promise since his move from Atalanta, but he is yet to become a reliable goalscorer, while Joshua Zirkzee has underwhelmed following his arrival from Bologna in July.

Sporting CP’s Viktor Gyokeres has been heavily linked with joining the Old Trafford outfit since Amorim’s appointment, and Van Nistelrooy has revealed that Man Utd may need a new striker if they want immediate success.

© IMAGO - Viktor Gyokeres has been linked with Man Utd

“I agree that when you want to be a successful side in the Premier League and in Europe, which is what the build is all about, you need a certain amount of goals,” he said.

“That is clear. That is why the best teams in the world have those players. At the moment, we have players who get a certain amount of goals and assists but they are in an age where they still need to be developed.

“There is potential they will be and the belief is there they can. That's where we are at this moment.”