Manchester United confirmed that Ruud van Nistelrooy had departed the club following the appointment of Rúben Amorim as the new permanent head coach. Van Nistelrooy, who had been serving as interim boss after Erik ten Hag’s sacking, oversaw a brief but successful stint, guiding the team to three wins and one draw in his four matches in charge.
The club issued a statement thanking the Dutch legend for his contributions and stating that he would “always be very welcome at Old Trafford.” Along with Van Nistelrooy, other members of Ten Hag’s backroom staff, including Rene Hake, Jelle ten Rouwelaar, and Pieter Morel, have also left their positions.
“Ruud is, and always will be, a Manchester United legend,” the club’s official statement read. “We are grateful for his contribution and the way in which he has approached his role throughout his time with the club.”
Van Nistelrooy, who is widely remembered for his prolific playing career at Manchester United, scored 150 goals in 219 appearances over a five-year period, becoming one of the club’s most beloved figures. After retiring as a player, he went on to manage PSV Eindhoven, resigning from the Dutch side ahead of the final match of the 2022-23 season due to differences with the club’s management.
Despite his successful spell in charge, the arrival of Amorim marks a new era for the club, as the Portuguese manager begins his tenure after leaving Sporting CP. Amorim, 39, had an impressive stint in Portugal, where he led Sporting to multiple titles and rejuvenated the club’s fortunes. His first match in charge of Manchester United will come on November 24, when the team faces Ipswich Town in the Premier League.
Amorim’s Tactical Revolution
Amorim’s appointment comes with high expectations, and one of the most notable aspects of his managerial style is his tactical philosophy. The Portuguese coach is known for utilizing a 3-4-3 formation, a system that has not been regularly employed at Old Trafford since Louis van Gaal’s time in charge in 2014.
Matthijs de Ligt, one of United’s key defenders, spoke about the challenges ahead under Amorim, emphasizing the importance of the squad adapting to the new tactical setup.
“Whether it’s a back three or a back four, the most important thing is how the team is set up,” said De Ligt. “If everything is not compact and everyone is not doing their job, then it’s going to be difficult. That’s the biggest challenge for the trainers: to get everyone on the same page and improve as a team.”