Ruud van Nistelrooy confident in leading United against Chelsea

Ruud van Nistelrooy, the interim manager at Manchester United, acknowledged that his time in charge will be brief. Nevertheless, he confidently stated on Oct 31 that he anticipates leading the team in their upcoming Premier League match against Chelsea at Old Trafford.

Former United striker Van Nistelrooy stepped up from his assistant coach role at the club after the sacking of Erik ten Hag on Oct 28, and Sporting coach Ruben Amorim is widely expected to be installed as manager at Old Trafford very soon.

The temporary coach got off to a winning start with a 5-2 League Cup quarter-final win over visitors Leicester City on Oct 30, and at an Oct 31 press conference it was suggested he will still be there for the game with Chelsea on Nov 3.

“I am guessing that too, so yes, it’s going to be a short job as an interim, that was communicated very clear and I was happy with that,” Van Nistelrooy told reporters.

“Obviously, it was difficult that Erik had to leave, I was very disappointed, with very mixed feelings about that, but you have to switch the mindset to win because 75,000 people are waiting and celebrating and millions are watching at home.”

While the 48-year-old Van Nistelrooy accepts his new job will be a short-lived one, he plans to return to his previous role once a new manager is installed.

“I decided to come back here for a very important reason. I came as an assistant to help the club forward and I’m still very motivated to do so in any capacity,” he said.

“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. I can speak to you about my side of the story and after, when the new manager is signed and conversations take place, we have to see how things develop.”