Rio Ferdinand believes Ruben Amorim about Ruud van Nistelrooy Man Utd decision
Van Nistelrooy had taken over as interim manager after Erik ten Hag's dismissal, overseeing four matches
Ruben Amorim has sparked controversy by sacking Ruud van Nistelrooy, with Rio Ferdinand suggesting the decision could alienate both Manchester United players and supporters.
Van Nistelrooy had taken over as interim manager after Erik ten Hag’s dismissal, overseeing four matches.
Under his guidance, United secured three wins and one draw, showing solid form.
Despite this, Amorim – who has recently completed his tenure at Sporting Lisbon – opted to replace the former United striker.
Amorim arrived in Manchester on Monday with his coaching staff from Sporting, and after meeting Van Nistelrooy in person to inform him of the decision, he is now preparing for his first match in charge against Ipswich on November 24.
Ferdinand, who played alongside Van Nistelrooy at United, expressed admiration for how the Dutchman has handled the situation in recent weeks.
“His audition couldn’t have gone any better and I think, knowing him, there was a steely determination underneath that said ‘I’m going to put myself in the best position, either to stay at the club in some capacity or someone else is going to say we need you as a manager’. He looked the part and he produced,” he said on Rio Ferdinand Presents before the decision was made.
“The players needed that. We’re in a time where there was a lot of turbulence, the manager’s relationships with some players seemed fractured and irreversible and the fans seemed to have made their minds up that that was it.
“And the new manager comes in – and you always get that bounce – but this seemed a bit different from a bounce.
“The players had grown to really like him, they appreciated how he informed them of different bits and pieces – tactically, individually, as a team – and there was a genuine ‘we want to do well for this guy’.”
Read more: Manchester City weigh up move for AC Milan star Tijjani Reijnder
Mohamed Salah contract update at Liverpool
Former Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag linked with AS Roma job
