Ruud van Nistelrooy shows class with final message to Man Utd stars

RUUD Van Nistelrooy urged Manchester United’s players to get behind new manager Ruben Amorim before signing off as interim manager with a 3-0 win over Leicester.

The Dutchman indicated to the first team that he expected to leave Old Trafford when the Portuguese arrived in Manchester yesterday but the club announced that Ruud would be leaving.

The United legend - who made a big impression on the first team dressing room despite only being appointed assistant manager by sacked Erik ten Hag four months ago - urged stars to work hard to bring back the glory days under the new boss.

And he assured them that he was delighted to have come back to Old Trafford and his tenure as interim manager which saw him win three games and draw the other, had only helped to strengthen his managerial career going forward.

A source said: “Ruud made clear to the bosses he wanted to stay at United because he loves the club. But he was also pragmatic and expected that Amorim would want total control of things, including his backroom staff.

“He told the players he was very happy to have come back and to have had the chance to manage the club for four games.

“It has helped his managerial career, increased his already strong ties with United and he hasn’t given up on the idea that he might be back one day.

“He made all that clear to the players and demanded that they give their all to the new manager.”

We previously told how the first team squad were keen for Ruud to stay on and work with Amorim after growing close to him on the training ground and in the dressing room.

Ruud scored 150 goals in 219 games for the club during Sir Alex Ferguson’s reign before leaving for Real Madrid after falling out with the Scot.

He stepped in as interim manager after United sacked Ten Hag following a 2-1 loss at West Ham, which left them 14th in the Premier League.

He inspired the team to a rousing 5-2 victory over Leicester in the Carabao Cup and then secured a 1-1 draw with Chelsea.

The Red Devils then beat PAOK 2-0 in the Europa League before beating Leicester 3-0 in the Premier League on Sunday - his final game in charge.

Amorim was pictured at Carrington yesterday and is waiting for a work permit.