Man Utd players want shock manager to take charge if Erik ten Hag gets sacked

Manchester United players are said to ‘welcome’ Ruud van Nistelrooy as the club’s future manager if Erik ten Hag is fired from his current position.

Ten Hag is under intense pressure after losing 3-0 at home to Tottenham, and it is believed that the Dutchman has only two games to rescue himself.

A number of renowned managers have been connected with the job, including former England manager Gareth Southgate and former Chelsea manager Thomas Tuchel.

The Daily Star reports that United’s team would rather that their current assistant manager, Van Nistelrooy, be given the post instead.

Van Nistelrooy, a former United striker, returned to the club this summer to work with Ten Hag.

The 48-year-old interrupted his own management career to become an assistant for United, having previously served as PSV’s head coach from 2022 to 2023, his first and only stint in command of a club after managing their junior team.

‘It’s absolutely the proper decision [to return].’ Van Nistelrooy recently informed TNT Sports. ‘I had a tremendous desire to help rebuild United, little by bit, back to where we believe and know the club should be.

‘I was on the management track. I managed PSV, which was an incredible experience, and I was in negotiations with other clubs about managing, and I enjoy it.

‘I got my personnel ready, and then I received a phone call. I said, ‘Jeez’. I never considered that as a possibility.Erik phoned me. I stated I needed to think about it, but I instantly thought, ‘wow’. I started to like the notion.

‘Especially in the broad picture, where there is a fresh start with new ownership and leadership. A period in which you begin to rebuild and participate in the process.

‘I simply want to help the club get to where it should be and gradually get it there.

‘I hope they reach it quickly. I wish to contribute. I have a tremendous desire to accomplish it.