Ruud van Nistelrooy hails Manchester United players for their reaction to Erik ten Hag’s sacking

Ruud van Nistelrooy said his Manchester United players “looked in the mirror” after Erik Ten Hag’s sacking this week, while welcoming their reaction to the former manager’s departure.

Van Nistelrooy was put in caretaker manager until new boss Ruben Amorim takes over later this month and followed the midweek win over Leicester City in the Carabao Cup with a 1-1 draw against Chelsea on Sunday to cap off an eventful week at Old Trafford.

Ten Hag was sacked on Monday following last weekend’s defeat to West Ham, while Amorim’s arrival from Sporting was confirmed on Friday, with the Portuguese expected to take charge during the upcoming international break.

“It’s been very difficult,” Van Nistelrooy said. “From Monday to today, six days and a roller coaster of emotions.

“Obviously, it’s very sad to see Erik leave. Then the next day you have to start focusing on getting the guys ready for a game against Leicester because there are 75,000 people who are going to turn up here. We have an obligation and the players feel it. They have an obligation to do better.

“They looked in the mirror and their reaction on Wednesday and today showed that they were also thinking about things themselves.”

Van Nistelrooy was speaking for the first time since Amorim’s appointment was confirmed, having previously expressed his desire to continue working at the club.

The former United striker, who has managerial experience at PSV, was signed as Ten Hag’s assistant last summer.

However, Amorim plans to bring a number of its own staff with it from Portugal and Van Nistelrooy has hinted that he would be willing to play a lesser role within the new organization.

“I came here to help as an assistant, as a coach and in this period as well as acting for a short period,” he explained. “In any capacity I’m willing to help, so in that sense I’m open for the future.

“We will all support [Amorim] and help him get Manchester United to where we all want them to be. This mind is the most important thing to have. It’s not about individuals. It’s about the club.