Rio Ferdinand wasn't happy with one of Ruben Amorim's early decisions at Manchester United as the head coach marks his first full year at Old Trafford
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - APRIL 17: Coach of Manchester United Ruben Amorim is interviewed for TNT Sports by Rio Ferdinand (left) following the UEFA Europa League 2024/25 Quarter Final Second Leg football match between Manchester United (Man U) and Olympique Lyonnais (OL, Lyon) at Old Trafford stadium on April 17, 2025 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Jean Catuffe/Getty Images)
Rio Ferdiand wasn't happy with Ruben Amorim's decision to let Ruud van Nistelrooy go
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One of Ruben Amorim’s first decisions as Manchester United boss didn’t go down well with Rio Ferdinand. It’s a year to the day since Amorim officially started to work at United, having been appointed earlier in the month.
By that point, he had already made the brutal decision to axe club legend Ruud van Nistelrooy from the coaching staff and bring in his own people from Sporting CP. The Dutchman had taken charge of four games on an interim basis following the sacking of Erik ten Hag, winning three and drawing one.
Therefore, many United fans were hoping the former striker would be retained in some capacity. The decision to get rid of Van Nistelrooy drew criticism from Ferdinand, one of the Dutchman’s former United team-mates.
Ferdinand said the move risked alienating players, saying on his Rio Ferdinand Presents YouTube show: “His audition couldn’t have gone any better and I think, knowing him, there was a steely determination underneath that said ‘I’m going to put myself in the best position, either to stay at the club in some capacity or someone else is going to say we need you as a manager.’ He looked the part and he produced.
“The players needed that. We’re in a time where there was a lot of turbulence, the manager’s [Ten Hag’s] relationships with some players seemed fractured and irreversible and the fans seemed to have made their minds up that that was it.
“And the new manager comes in – and you always get that bounce – but this seemed a bit different from a bounce. The players had grown to really like him, they appreciated how he informed them of different bits and pieces – tactically, individually, as a team – and there was a genuine ‘we want to do well for this guy.’”
Another ex-United star, Owen Hargreaves, felt Van Nistelrooy should have been retained to work with attacking players like Rasmus Hojlund, Alejandro Garnacho and Marcus Rashford. He said: “They need to learn from one of the best to ever do it. You don’t have to be the main guy, the coach, but he can help these guys learn the little details.”
Ferdinand agreed, adding: “We’ve been sitting here waiting for a manager to connect with the players. We have one right now. Why are you going to get rid of him? The biggest sticking point and question mark will be the manager. It’ll be his decision to decide whether he keeps Ruud or not.
Ruud van Nistelrooy, Manager of Leicester City
Ruud van Nistelrooy was gutted to leave United following his spell as interim boss
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“It’s a hard decision, because you’re going to need a massive personality and character and confidence in what you do to say ‘I don’t care who’s next to me, I can do this. You’ve got to work out if he’s going to be added value or a distraction.”
While it has been a rough ride for Amorim, who was clinging to his job prior to October’s international break, he hasn’t been afraid to make big and potentially unpopular decisions. Hojlund, Rashford and Garnacho, amongst others, have all been moved on after not fitting into his plans. And following a torrid start to the season, there were signs of progress prior to the current international break.
Van Nistelrooy was soon back in work, joining struggling Leicester City as manager, only to leave after failing to keep the Foxes in the Premier League.
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