Ruud van Nistelrooy has insisted he will not take criticism personally from his former Manchester United teammates turned pundits, including Gary Neville, Roy Keane and Rio Ferdinand, during his spell as interim manager. The Dutchman, who played alongside them under Sir Alex Ferguson, is set to oversee three more games before Rúben Amorim takes permanent charge in November.
“We all do our jobs don’t we and basically they care for the club,” Van Nistelrooy said. “They want the club to do well, and they are disappointed when it doesn’t go well, and they have opinions on that. I don’t take it personally. When I see them and have a cup of coffee with them I have no problems.” He acknowledged they choose a different path but stressed he remains on good terms with them.
After overseeing a 5-2 Carabao Cup win over Leicester, Van Nistelrooy faces a sterner test this Sunday when Chelsea visit Old Trafford. “In the end you are going to be judged… I don’t believe the hype or the drama that much,” he said, adding that the club needs to stay calm and focus on long-term progress rather than overnight turnarounds.
Van Nistelrooy also backed struggling striker Joshua Zirkzee, signed for £35.8m from Bologna, to become a key player. “He’s a young player with a lot of potential… a typical No 9 with good hold-up play,” he said, contrasting Zirkzee’s style with Rasmus Højlund’s and urging patience. “He will get better and better and be a very big player for this club.”
