Ruud van Nistelrooy reveals Erik ten Hag reaction to Manchester United sacking

Ruud van Nistelrooy has revealed Erik ten Hag's reaction to his Manchester United sacking.

Ten Hag was sacked on Monday, mere months after being rewarded with a new contract, after overseeing the club's worst start to a Premier League season since the previous campaign.

Van Nistelrooy has stepped up from his role as assistant manager to take interim charge of the club, while talks with Ruben Amorim over the managerial vacancy continue, and recorded a 5-2 win over a weakened Leicester City side in his first game.

The former United striker says he has spoken to Ten Hag twice since the dismissal, with the fellow Dutchman "hurt" by his sacking but still proud of his two cups won while in charge.

“I've seen him Monday here and I've spoken to him yesterday before the game," he told reporters on Thursday. "Obviously, [he is] very disappointed and touched because he really cared for the club.

"I said also yesterday, in the first conversation we had for me to come back to the club with him I really felt that he cared and loved the club and wanted to bring this club forward and that's why we connected.

"That’s why he's also hurt that he had to leave but also proud of his achievements here with the two cups and obviously the history that he's leaving with that."