Ruud van Nistelrooy anticipates a challenging reception from his former Manchester United teammates in the media during his tenure as interim manager. The influential voices of ex-players like Gary Neville, Roy Keane, and Rio Ferdinand, all part of the dominant Sir Alex Ferguson era that also included Van Nistelrooy, have become central to discussions about United in recent times. With the Dutchman set to manage United for three more games before the November international break—when Rúben Amorim is expected to assume permanent control—he is prepared for any criticism that may come his way.
"We all do our jobs and essentially, they care for the club," Van Nistelrooy remarked when questioned about his former colleagues' potential criticism. "They want the club to succeed and are disheartened when it doesn't, expressing their opinions on the matter. I don't take it personally. When I meet them and share a cup of coffee, I have no issues. I value them as former colleagues, and I still keep in touch with some of them. That's the path some choose, while others remain more focused on football. For me, it's perfectly fine."
Van Nistelrooy guided United to a 5-2 victory over Leicester in the Carabao Cup on Wednesday, his first match following Erik ten Hag's dismissal. A more demanding test awaits on Sunday as high-flying Chelsea visits Old Trafford.
"Ultimately, you will be judged," he said. "I believe the response [against Leicester] was positive and everyone was upbeat. In football, things can change or continue as they are, but I don't get caught up in the hype or drama. I know it's the world we live in. For me, staying calm and doing my job daily is crucial, and I think the same should apply to this club. We won't turn things around overnight. But I believe we will achieve it in the long term."
Van Nistelrooy also believes Joshua Zirkzee will overcome criticism and become a pivotal player for United. Zirkzee, signed for €42.5m (£35.8m) from Bologna in the summer, scored on his debut but has since failed to find the net in 13 appearances, drawing flak from fans.
"He's a young player with immense potential," Van Nistelrooy said of his compatriot. "He's a classic No 9 with excellent hold-up play and combination skills. He's different from Rasmus [Højlund], who excels at getting behind defenders. Josh is more about coming towards the ball and facilitating play. He's a talent with a good age and significant potential for development. We need to nurture him, give him time, and he will improve and become a very significant player for this club."
Source link: https://www.theguardian.com
