Ruud van Nistelrooy makes Manchester United manager admission after Ruben Amorim decision

Ruud van Nistelrooy admits he wants to manage Manchester United on a permanent basis in the future ahead of what could be his final match in interim charge.

Van Nistelrooy was installed as United's caretaker last week following the sacking of Erik ten Hag and he has overseen wins over Leicester City and PAOK and a draw with Chelsea.

The Dutchman will manage United for the final time against Leicester again in the Premier League at Old Trafford on Sunday and it is unclear if incoming head coach Ruben Amorim will retain Van Nistelrooy as an assistant.

READ MORE: What the United dressing room makes of Amorim

READ MORE: What Van Nistelrooy said at half-time vs PAOK

Van Nistelrooy was manager of PSV Eindhoven until he left in 2023 and he said last week United was the only club he was prepared to take an assistant manager's role at. Van Nistelrooy is under contract as a United assistant until 2026 and is due to hold discussions with Amorim next week.

"Of course," Van Nistelrooy replied when asked if he would like to United manage permanently one day. "I thought this through well when I made the decision to come to United as assistant coach, I thought that through.

"I knew that coming to Manchester United was for me a special occasion where I felt I wanted to be part of this journey with the club also in an assistant role. I had clear ambitions to manage, I made the decision to sign a two-year deal as an assistant and I'm still in that frame of mind to stay in that capacity.

"I've enjoyed it, it gave a lot of energy, the reaction of the players was outstanding. I think also as an assistant you are quite close to players, the past three months I spent a lot of time with the playesr and got to know the players very well as human beings but also as football players, where they are in that development and how I can help. I think that relationship now is helping.

"We are together and we want to achieve something together so that bond is there and that's why I feel very supported. That gives a lot of energy and support, lots of confidence and energy and so far so good.

"I think the appetite to build further within this club is stronger than the other bit (to manage United). So for this moment, I made a deliberate decision to step into this role for two seasons and take it from there.

"And these four games haven't changed that sentiment and that's why I said from the beginning what my intentions were also after my interim job.

"I think thats the results in itself will make [the players be more confident]. Its easier to manage a team that has won two of the last three and had a decent point at home against a good side.

"The connection with the fans is there, there's a good feeling that we can turn things around. That's what is happening at the moment. Of course football being football, especially in top flight football, results are necessary and the Sunday game in that is a big one.

"It was very important after I took over to stabilise the ship with results. All of sudden we're three games further in that. It passes so quickly and the last one, that's the one also where it will mean a lot."