Manchester United interim boss Ruud van Nistelrooy could not explain why things did not work out for Erik ten Hag at the club, but does admit the Dutchman cared a lot.
Ten Hag was dismissed earlier in the week following a loss to West Ham in the Premier League last weekend.
Sporting head coach Ruben Amorim is set to take over in the coming weeks, but former striker Van Nistelrooy is set to stay in the dugout for a few more games.
He marked his debut with a 5-2 win against Leicester in the Carabao Cup on Wednesday before speaking to the media a day later.
On Ten Hag, he said: “Yes I saw him Monday here and spoke to him before the game, he is very disappointed and touched.
“He cared for the club, the first conversations we had, I felt he cared and loved the club and wanted to bring the club forward. That is where we connected.
“He is also proud of his achievements here.
“I felt that I was called upon to help the club” 🗣
Ruud van Nistelrooy openly discusses his interim role at Manchester United ahead of their match against Chelsea 👇 pic.twitter.com/cZQ1Owy4Ra
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) October 31, 2024
“In the end, it is also clear in football that is the results and Erik also said, in pre-season we had new staff and all were very positive and all working hard to bring the club forward.
“There are things you can’t explain sometimes. I also remember the Brighton goal we scored and then you concede the 2-1, so many games we felt we could get a better result, talking Palace, West Ham, Porto, Fenerbahce but we also know it is about results and that is part of our job.”
With Amorim expected to bring his own staff with him, questions have been asked about Van Nistelrooy’s future as well.
Having only just arrived at Old Trafford, the Dutchman could still stay in some capacity.
He added: “We will see but it is the contract situation I am in and my desire to help the club forward.
“I can speak to you about my side of the story and after, when the new manager is signing and conversations take place, we have to see how things develop.
“I decided to come back here for a very important reasons, that I am here as an assistant, I came here to help the club forward and I am still very motivated to do so in any capacity, as an assistant and now an interim and after that I go back to my assistant contract.
“I am very motivated to stay here and help the club forward.”
