For the first time since Ralf Rangnick, Manchester United will be managed by someone other than Erik ten Hag on Wednesday.
Ineos acted decisively on Monday after Manchester United lost to West Ham United, sacking Erik ten Hag in a long overdue move.
After this, the club have made their intentions clear on who will be replacing the Dutchman – as Ruben Amorim gets closer and closer to being appointed.
Amorim is expected to travel to England this weekend, which likely means he will be in the stands to watch United face Chelsea on Sunday – giving interim manager Ruud van Nistelrooy a second game.
However, the club legend has not even had his first yet – with this coming at Old Trafford against Leicester in the Carabao Cup in which Van Nistelrooy will get to name his very own United team.
Ruud van Nistelrooy sends message ahead of facing Leicester City
Ahead of kick-off – Van Nistelrooy has written a passionate message to United fans which was shared by the club website.
“Good evening and welcome to Old Trafford.
“As I am sure everyone can imagine, I am writing these notes with a huge amount of mixed emotions. Erik ten Hag brought me back to Manchester United in the summer and, while I have only been part of the coaching staff here for a few months, I will always be grateful to him for giving me the opportunity, and I am saddened to see him leave.
“Even on an interim basis, it is a great honour to manage the club I love for however long I am asked to do so. I can promise that I will continue to give my all, in whatever capacity, to try to turn around our fortunes.
“Despite our results, I am loving being back at Old Trafford and working with the team and staff every day. We’ve seen the squad’s potential at times this season, but clearly not often enough.
“Now is the time for everyone at the club to work together, give everything and turn this season around while we have time. From my experiences as both a player and a coach here, I can say for sure that when players, staff and supporters pull together, Manchester United can be unstoppable.
“Thankfully, we have time on our side and with fixtures coming so regularly now, we also have plenty of opportunities to build up some positive momentum, starting with tonight’s visit of Steve Cooper and Leicester City in the Carabao Cup.
“It will not be easy, of course. Leicester are Premier League opposition and they will also be highly motivated by the prospect of moving into the quarter-finals. However, every game we play is also an opportunity for us to remind everyone – ourselves included – of what this great club stands for.
“When I returned in the summer as Erik’s assistant, it was because I believe that Manchester United can climb back to the levels that I knew here as a player. I still have that belief, but it will take time and a lot of hard work.
“The first step is to restore the winning habit, starting at Old Trafford this evening. I know first-hand the positive effect that our wonderful fans can have on the team, so please get behind the players as we fight together to move a step closer to Wembley.”
What to expect from Van Nistelrooy as he manages first Manchester United game
On Wednesday evening, Van Nistelrooy will take charge of United for the first time and it comes with a favourable Carabao Cup draw.
United face Leicester City in a game which should be a comfortable win, and with the fabled ‘new manager bounce’ we fully expect that we will see a comfortable victory.
Van Nistelrooy will likely take risks with his team selection as he has nothing to lose given Amorim’s arrival is already on the cards.
So what we hope for is to see youth playing and attacking football – something Ten Hag seemed unwilling to do this season.
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