Ruud van Nistelrooy backed to be future Manchester United manager after passing “mini audition” | OneFootball

Ruud van Nistelrooy may have sat in the Manchester United dugout only as an interim manager against Leicester City, but he has been backed as a future boss of the Old Trafford giants.

Speaking on Sky Sports Gilette Soccer Special, pundit Jobi McAnuff called the 5-2 drubbing of the Foxes a “mini audition” for the Dutchman, and was full of praise for how it went.

“Watching the game and watching him, it starts coming into your mind. Do you see him, maybe not now but maybe in the future, as a potential Manchester United manager?” he said.

“He’s certainly done his chances no harm,” the former Reading and Leyton Orient winger gushed.

Van Nistelrooy presided over a comprehensive United win which carries them through to the Carabao Cup quarter finals where they will face Tottenham Hotspur away in December.

Not only did his side bag five goals against a Premier League side – something predecessor Erik ten Hag never managed during his United reign – the Dutchman seemed to have had a positive effect on the players.

“I certainly felt there was an uplift when it came to the energy and the body language which is a big part of it,” said McAnuff of United’s performance.

“I felt that all the players played with a freedom and a smile on their face at times, and I’ve got to say Ruud van Nistelrooy really set the tempo for that. He really seemed to step into the role.”

United are moving quickly to secure a permanent replacement for Ten Hag, who was sacked earlier this week, with the club deep in negotiations with Sporting Lisbon for their manager Ruben Amorim.

It was reported that Amorim could take the reins at Old Trafford as early as the weekend, and could even have been in the hotseat in time to manage United’s clash with Chelsea on Sunday.

But it seems now that the Red Devils will have to wait to get their man, who is more likely to arrive during the November international break.

This would leave Van Nistelrooy with three more games at the helm, all of them at Old Trafford as United host Chelsea and Leicester in the Premier League either side of a crucial Europa League fixture against PAOK.

Featured image Michael Regan via Getty Images